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Youths Battle DESOPADEC MD, Askia As Protest Rocks Delta Over N50m Social Security Fund
The appropriation of accumulated social security fund running into N50 million meant for youths of Isoko ethnic nationality have set Youths under the auspices of the Isoko Development Union, (IDU) youth wing against the Managing Director of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC), of DESOPADEC, Askia Ogieh.
BIGPENNGR understands the fund meant for Isoko youths have been a subject of controversy as a section of youths are alleging hijack of the money. They alleged that only a paltry sum was often handed over to a group of youths.
Following the development, Youths of the Isoko Development Union, (IDU) youth wing on Wednesday protested against the MD over alleged refusal to release the N50 million social security fund accruing to the youths.
The youths allegedly accused Ogieh, of highhandedness and deploying divide and rule tactic among the youths in Isoko nation by only patronising a faction.
The angry youths were 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.” among others.
One of the protesting youths who simply identified himself as Omohowo, told newsmen that the protest is connected to the way and manner the managing director of DESOPADEC, Askia is running the commission.
“Especially, the N50 million due the IDU youth wing, Askia’s selfish and greed towards the IDU youth wing by 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 it is 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 youths. 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.”
President of the IDU youth wing, Hyacinth Ewariezi Ede, who led the protest noted that the protest is as a result of the marginalisation of the IDU youth wing by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC).
Ede said, “The N10 million monthly social security fund for five months, January-May, which amounts 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 closedown of all oil activities and facilities in Isoko land if our demands are not addressed,” Ede stated.
All efforts to reach Ogieh for comment proved abortive as he failed to pick calls to his mobile phone as of press time.
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