By Daniel Gumm

WARRI—Host communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HostCom, in Delta State, have pleaded with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to consider a commissioner from Warri South Local Government Area to represent Itsekiri nation on the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC.

Chairman of the body, Mr Benjamin Iwetan, in a statement, said it was the turn of Warri South council to produce a commissioner, adding that the other two Warri councils, Warri South-West and Warri North have each had their turn.

He said: “We plead with Governor Uduaghan to consider someone from Warri South to occupy the position of commissioner representing Itsekiri in DESOPADEC Board.”

According to him, Engr. Johnson Toritsemoste of blessed memory, from Ijalla Warri South-West council, had the first slot as commissioner representing Itsekiri on the commission’s board, adding that when Toritsemotse died in office, Engr. J. Akperi was brought to complete his tenure.

He explained that thereafter, Michael Diden from Warri North was appointed commissioner representing Itsekiri nation on the board, adding that Diden has just concluded his tenure.

“It is fair that someone from Warri South should, this time around, be made a Commissioner to represent the Itsekiri on the board of DESOPADEC, as both Warri South-West and North have served their tenures.

“For fairness, Warri South produces oil through Omadino and Ugbodede communities and they are entitled to commissionership position on the board of DESOPADEC, hence HostCom is requesting that Warri South be given the slot,” he added.