The Delta Commis
sioner for Finance, Chief Kenneth Okpara, says the state government has disbursed N179.4 billion to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) between 2007 and 2013.
Okpara who disclosed the amount in an interview in Asaba, said the fund was meant for the development of the oil producing communities in the state.
He added that it was part of the 13 per cent derivation funds that accrued to the state from the Federation Account.
Okpara said the funds were released annually to the commission for the development of the areas and improvement on the living standard of the people dwelling mainly in rural areas.
The commissioner said that out of the amount, N10.5 billion was released to DESOPADEC in 2007, while in 2008 the commission got N29.4 billion.
Okpara also said that in 2009 the commission was given N27.8 billion, while in 2010 it received N19.8 billion.
He further said that in 2011, the commission received N36.3 billion from the state government and in 2012 it got N36.5 billion.
The commissioner said that DESOPADEC also received N18.8 billion in 2013, adding that the fund varied according to the amount the state received from the Federation Account.
Okpara said the commission which was set up in July 2007, was given the mandate to rehabilitate the oil producing communities and the inhabitants.
He said that Section 13 (1) of the enabling law states that the commission “shall receive and administer exclusively, 50 per cent of the 13 per cent Oil Derivation Fund accruing to the state government.’’
He added that the commission’s board was composed according to the quantity of oil produced by each of the ethnic groups that made up the oil producing areas of the state.
Okpara said that since the inauguration of the commission, the oil producing communities in the state had been benefiting from its projects.
