By Emma Amaize
WARRI- Contractors to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, in Warri, Delta State, has given the oil commission, a four-day ultimatum to pay up all outstanding job certificates,  currently with the commission or they would shut down oil installations in the state.

The Commissioner, in charge of DESOPADEC, Mr. Timi Tonye, had at a recent meeting with the contractors, urged them to simmer down, as government would pay their debts, but the contractors, apparently unsatisfied, issued an ultimatum, yesterday.

Chairman of DESOPADEC Contractors Forum, Chief James Tangbowei, in a statement said:  “We are giving a  four- day  ultimatum to the commission to pay up all outstanding job certificates currently with the commission.

“We are aware that more than N111 billion had been released to the state by President Goodluck Jonathan, from January to July this year as 13 per cent derivation fund. By this, DESOPADEC, b y law, should have at least about N50 billion out of the money.”

“In the past four years, 2007-2011, the commission had refused to pay its contractors, thereby causing pains and agony to us, contractors. Meanwhile, banks, creditors and other money lending bodies and individuals are on our neck. Most of our members have lost our property to creditors and the governor is comfortable with that. It’s absurd.”

“We want our grievances addressed within the four days otherwise, at the expiration of the this ultimatum, we shall have no any other option than to shut down all oil installations in Delta State with immediate effect. In the four days, we want all contractors with valid certificates paid in full,” he added.