Oil producing communities in Delta are to be allowed to make input into the activities of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), particularly in the area of infrastructure development.

The Commissioner for Special Duties in charge of DESOPADEC, Mr Timi Tonye made the announcement in Asaba recently  in an interview with newsmen.

He said that under the “bottom-up approach,’’ the oil communities would suggest the projects they would like to be executed in their areas and be part of the selection of contractors to handle them. Tonye explained that by the approach, the oil communities would be involved in the conception of the projects in their areas and be part of them till they were completed. He added that the commission, which was already using the short-term development strategy to solve the immediate problems of the oil producing communities, would also adopt the long-term development strategy. The commissioner explained that with the long-term strategy, the state government would partner with the commission in project execution to strengthen and add value to the economies of the communities and the state.

He said that projects to be considered under the long-term development strategy would include functional sea ports, which would provide more employment opportunities for the people.

“The opening and expansion of link roads to ease transportation of farm produce from the rural areas as well as industrial development of the areas, such as constructing modular refineries, will also be considered.’’