DESOPADEC FRAUD: GOV.OKOWA UNDER PRESSURE FROM GROUP TO SACK MD MAKINDE AND BOARD MEMBERS

Secret Reporters

With series of confirmed reports from Secret Reporters against the Managing Director of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission(DESOPADEC), Mr.Williams Makinde and his board members, an anti corruption group, known as ANTI CORRUPTION AND INTEGRITY FORUM and signed by the President, Comrade Prince Kpokpogri, in separate letters on the 12th and 15th of January 2016, wrote to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) and the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and copied to relevant agencies within and outside Delta State, alleged financial misappropriation and recklessness from the board.

A copy of the petition which was obtained by Secret Reporters reads in part:
Mr. Olorogun Makinde Williams single handedly doled out to Daily Independent newspaper, the sum of N360 million without the approval of the board members.

That Williams Makinde approved the sum of N350 million to Daily Independent on yearly basis for 3years and N270 million function for the Western Delta University for building and construction of the private University owned by James Ibori when the board has been unable to pay workers and contractors.

Williams Makinde organized a Christmas party with N50 million pulled out from DESOPADEC account with Zenith Bank, Asaba branch.
Part of the allegations against Makinde is that, he had earlier given a bus to a private television, African Independent Television(AIT) in Oghara, where the state owned television station lacks buses to carry out their duties effectively.
Makinde has also diverted 50 pieces of buses that budgeted for schools in the oil producing areas.

He equally paid contractors the sum of N350 thousand naira only, for a job of 200 million naira that was done, and thereafter, diverted the balance of one billion naira which was released for the sole purpose of paying the contractors.
Makinde also released the sum of 10million naira to each member of DESOPADEC as Christmas gifts.

Also fingered in this fraud alongside Makinde and his board, is Miss Eriate Ibori, daughter to former Governor James Ibori who is currently the chairperson, House committee on finance and appropriation in the Delta State House of Assembly.

In violation of the public procurement act, 2007 as regards to invitation to bid open to competitive bidding by virtue of section 25(1) , Eriate Ibori personally handled all vehicle purchases in DESOPADEC. to the tune of N200 million.
There are calls by the anti corruption group that Makinde should respond in 21days to the allegations.