Kinsmen to the Managing Director (MD), Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Mr. Askia Ogieh, have opened the can of worms over accumulated sums of money that has risen to the tune of N50 million naira.
The N10 million per monry tied to Social Security Fund meant for IDU Youth Wing, has not been paid by DESOPADEC in the last five months between January to May 2021.
President, IDU Youth Wing, Hyacinth Ewariezi Ede, who led a protest of over 2000 Isoko youths on Wednesday June 9th 2021, noted that the protest is as a result of the marginalization of the IDU Youth Wing by the Commission.
Hear him: “The N10 million monthly social security fund for five months, January-May, which amount to N50 million due youths of Isoko ethnic nationality that is held by DESOPADEC should be released to the IDU youth wing, the social cultural umbrella body covering Isoko youth nationwide without any further delay.
“Furthermore, the actions of the leadership and management of DESOPADEC and the total disregard for the Isoko people, IDU and traditional institutions are such that we will no longer tolerate. The Isoko people have suffered unhealthy implication of air pollution associated with gas flaring, hence Heritage and Agip companies should commence immediate establishment of gas turbines in Isoko land stop gas flaring in our locality.
“We demand with immediate effect that they commence mass employment of Isoko youths and awarding of contracts to indigenous contractors with reputation and also ensure full implementation of the GMoU.
“All contractors handling abandoned projects in Isoko land should return to sites for immediate completion of such projects and that the office of the majority leader, Delta state house of Assembly should remain in Isoko nation as it will strengthened the bond between the state government and Isoko ethnic nationality and also give a sense of belonging to Isoko nation.
“The youths would commence lockdown and close down of all oil activities and facilities in Isoko land if our demands are not addressed.”, Ede, stated.
Also speaking, one of the protesters who simply identified himself as Omohowo, said the protest is connected to the way and manner the managing Director of DESOPADEC, Askia is running the Commission, “Especially, the N50 million due IDU Youth Wing, Askia, is creating division among the youth in Isoko land. Askia is running the Commission as his personal estate and amassing illicit wealth to prosecute his 2023 governorship ambition.
“Askia has refused to release the N50 million due the IDU Youth Wing. We are supposed to be getting this money, N10 million monthly and its tagged Social Security Fund. Out of this money his son, takes over N2 million for doing nothing, few selected individuals in the good book of Askia also take from this money at the end only N3 million is left for the youth. And Askia has decided to sideline us to be releasing this meagre N3 million to another faction of youth in Isoko who are loyal to him”, he alleged.
The youths barricaded the ever busy Emevor-Eboh Iyede-Ughelli Asaba expressway.
The mass protest disrupted business and economic activities as it caused heavy gridlock in the ever busy expressway, making travellers stranded while commuters make diversion through other routes.
They equally alleged that Askia Ogieh, is highhanded and tries to create division among them by patronizing a faction of the youth.
The angry youths armed with placards with different inscriptions such as “Okowa Tell Askia To Respect IDU youth wing, “Askia Give What Is Due To IDU Youth Wing, “Askia DESOPADEC Is Not Your Personal Estate, ” Okowa Call Askia To Order, “Askia Is A Dictator, “Askia Is A Disgrace To Delta State Government and Isoko” among others.
(Thestoryng)
