The Delta state House of Assembly, at its sitting on Tuesday, February 5, 2013, suspended one of its members, Hon. Rufus Edoja Akpodiete, representing Ughelli North II for violating Section 24 of the Legislative Privileges Act.

Hon. Rufus Edoja Akpodiete, whose indefinite suspension was later reverted to a one month suspension from the House sittings and other legislative activities, including privileges, was said to have also violated the House Rule 68, Paragraph 8.

The lawmaker was alleged to have challenged the position of the House in an already concluded matter being handled by the state legislature and brought it to public domain.

A dependable Assembly source told Blank NEWS Online that the House had debated and concluded on issues bothering on the laws establishing the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), but to their chagrin, the suspended member went ahead to challenge the decision of the state Assembly in the media.

The earlier indefinite suspension of Hon. Rufus Edoja Akpodiete followed a unanimous decision of all members present during the House sitting, but the Speaker, Hon. Victor Ochei pleaded in his behalf before it was reverted to one month suspension.

Attempts made by Blank NEWS Online to speak with Hon. Rufus Edoja Akpodiete on his suspension however proved abortive.

Meanwhile, the Board and Management of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC have been charged to monitor their projects to ensure proper execution.

The State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan gave the charge Tuesday in Warri when he paid a visit to the office of the Commission stressed that their duty was mainly in the field.

According to him, as an interventionist agency, DESOPADEC contracts awards must be backed by commensurate supervision to enable the various communities feel the impact of the government.

Recalling challenges faced by the Commission, the Governor said he would soon visit some of the projects being executed by the commission.

Chairman of the DESOPADEC board, Mr. Oritsuwa Kpogho in his remarks, restated their readiness to key into the ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ policy of the government to serve the state better.

Mr. Kpogho said some projects already completed would require formal commissioning by the Governor soon, just as some other key projects will have to be inaugurated.

This is the Governor’s first visit to the DESOPADEC office in a renewed zeal to accomplish much for Deltans before the end of his second tenure in office.