Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, Delta State chapter, which  interfaces between oil and gas bearing communities and Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, has given Governor Sheriff Oborevwori a 21-day protest notice over the management of 13 per cent derivation and other issues affecting oil-bearing communities in the state.

The body expressed concern over what it called the deteriorating operational condition of HOSTCOM.

The leadership of Delta State HOSTCOM  including its Chairman, Enujeke Sunday; State Youth Leader, Onyeka Ayangba; State Woman Leader, Mrs. Loveth Eguare; Itsekiri ethnic nationality chairman, Mr. Goodwill Oruru; ljaw ethnic nationality chairman, Mr. Kingsley Ikire; Urhobo ethnic nationality chairman, Mr. Andrew Agoyo; Isoko ethnic nationality chairman,  Emmanuel Omoakora; Ndokwa ethnic nationality chairman, Chris Nwose and others, said they would no longer tolerate what they called neglect by the state government.

In a statement by Enujeke Sunday, Chairman, Delta State HOSTCOM and others, the organisation highlighted critical issues confronting them, top of which is lack of funding and government lackadaisical attitude towards the plight of HOSTCOM, which is made to beg for what belongs to them from DESOPADEC, an interventionist agency to serve HOSTCOM .

The statement said: “As we are waiting patiently for the state government’s response to our germane demands, we should not be cowed using the rhetoric ‘paucity of fund,’ a language, which HOSTCOM, shall vehemently resist.

“We can still recall vividly, when some disgruntled elements in the guise of laying unfounded allegations of mismanagement of the 13 per cent derivation funds. In furtherance, these set of persons in the toga of ‘Oil Community Representative,’ mobilised unscrupulous elements to protest on print and social media, but we resisted them, because  they were fifth columnist used by politician, who wanted to derail the electoral process in 2023.

“Delta State Chapter of HOSTCOM made up of all the leaders of the various ethnic nationalities and the youth leaders expressed their readiness to hold the planned peaceful protest if our germane demands falls on deaf ears after the expiration of the 21 days ultimatum .

“The  protest aims to amplify the discontent and grievances of HOSTCOM over the years and the dire state of it’s members in the smooth running of the affairs of  HOSTCOM in Delta State, a practice which is against the ethos and the pillar of democracy.

“Specific demands from the Delta State government include but not limited to the immediate release of the five buses and intervention by the Delta State government, in ensuring the timely release of HOSTCOM Yearly subversion allocation, which has accrued to several millions without any hiccups.

“Immediate attention should be given to the knotty issue of 13 per cent derivation accountability by the governor, because it is the fundamental right of HOSTCOM to know how the disbursement is been patterned.

“The abandoned HOSTCOM ICT Training Centre, should be financed and activated with immediate effect to strengthen and enhance capacity building amongst our youths.

“Training/capacity building and  empowerment of our women/youths  running into millions are yet to kickstart.

“This is on a regular basis in designated field as agreed upon in earlier engagements should be upheld without further delays.

“We demand that since DESOPADEC, as an  interventionist agency of government is DESOPADEC, managing 50 per cent of the 13 per cent derivation fund, HOSTCOM should be co-managers of the fund as established by law.”

“In a very transparent manner, there should be accountability by DESOPADEC to HOSTCOM. We strongly believe this is key to  the take off  of concrete developmental projects be be executed to specification.”