LAGOS— PRESIDENT of the Ukwuani Foundation Union, UFU, Ogbuefi VOT Abanum, yesterday, criticised the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, over an advertorial in Vanguard Newspaper, which carried  the proposed projects in Delta State for which tenders were being sought.   

Abanum said in a statement that the projects, their locations, utility value and geographical spread had shortchanged the Ndokwa nation.

He said “While Isoko, Urhobo, Ijaw and Itsekiri nations had 84, 93, 83 and 78 proposed projects respectively, Ndokwa had 47. Counted among the Ndokwa projects was the fencing of a small compound belonging to the Eze Emu of Emu kingdom.

“The other is the reconstruction of a king’s palace in Okpai where AGIP and the Federal Government lay claim to our oil and gas resources which channel electricity to the national grid.”

While congratulating Governor Uduaghan for successfully hosting President Goodluck Jonathan, Abanum urged the governor to examine the Foundation’s recommendations on the Ndokwa-West/East LGA chairmen on the Iselegu/Ibabu communal crisis,  adding that uneasy calmstill pervaded the two communities.