KOSOPADEC Visits DESOPADEC, Seeks To Replicate Successful Development Model
By PAULINA NZERUBE
THE Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) on Wednesday 10 December 2025, hosted a high-level delegation from the newly formed Kogi State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (KOSOPADEC) during a fact-finding visit to its headquarters in Warri.
DESOPADEC Chairman, Chief John Obukowho Nani, welcomed the delegation, describing the visit as further proof of the Commission’s growing reputation as a development model for oil-producing states. He commended Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for mandating KOSOPADEC to understudy DESOPADEC’s systems in order to strengthen its service delivery framework.
Nani outlined DESOPADEC’s governance structure, intervention strategies, and bottom-up budgeting approach, which relies on community town-hall inputs and production quantum across the six oil-producing ethnic nationalities. He stressed that the Commission’s operations are anchored on accountability, transparent approvals, and oversight from the Board and relevant committees of the Delta State House of Assembly.
Managing Director/CEO, Chief Festus Ochonogor, highlighted DESOPADEC’s evolution into a benchmark institution and encouraged the visiting team to deepen engagements with the directorates for technical insights.
Responding, KOSOPADEC Chairman Suleiman Ndarayi Abdulahi said the commission—established on 1st August 2025—intends to adopt DESOPADEC’s successful model to enhance development in Kogi’s oil-producing areas.
The delegation later held technical sessions with DESOPADEC Executive Directors on project implementation, social services, monitoring and community relations. The visit ended with exchange of gifts, presentation of kolanuts, and prayers.
