R 051344Z MAR 09
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0568
INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
JAC MOLESWORTH AFB UK
SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
CIA WASHINGTON DC
DIA WASHINGTON DC
HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS LAGOS 000107 
 
 
STATE FOR AF/W, AF/EX AND INR/AA 
STATE PASS TO USTR-AGAMA 
BAGHDAD FOR MCCULLOUGH 
BOTSWANA FOR DROUIN 
TREASURY FOR PETERS AND HALL 
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS AND 3130/USFC/OIO/ANESA/DHARRIS 
USAID/AFR/WA FOR TWAY, USAID/AFR/SD JHILL, AND UNSAID/EGAT 
MOTT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ECON EIND NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DESOPADEC'S QUICK START PROJECTS REAP 
BENEFITS 
 
REF: LAGOS 66 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: At a meeting on February 5 in the main 
offices of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development 
Commission (DESOPADEC) in Warri, Delta State, officials of 
the organization told Pol-Econ Chief, PolOff and Office of 
Security Cooperation (OSC) representatives that over six 
hundred projects had been initiated over the last two years 
and none have ever been the target of criminal or militant 
violence. Section heads from DESOPADEC explained the 
objectives of the organization, the distribution of projeQs 
by ethnicity, and expressed optimism about effecting 
development in every community in Delta State within the next 
decade. They believed that peace can also be achieved in 
consequence. Studies of the Niger Delta crisis have always 
emphasized that development is the key to ending the violence 
because only development can offer legitimate employment and 
improve living standards. While DESOPADEC alone cannot 
provide sustainable services or deliver all the development 
necessary, it makes an important contribution both in terms 
of tangible projects and offering hope to disillusioned and 
impoverished communities. The question of sustainability in a 
period of falling oil prices is, however, critical. End 
Summary. 
 
All Ethnic Groups Benefit from Over 600 Projects 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶2. (U) Pol-Econ Chief, PolOff and OSC representatives (U.S. 
team) visited the headquarters of DESOPADEC in Warri, Delta 
State, on February 5. Section Heads for Project Monitoring 
and Supervision, Infrastructural Development and Waterways, 
Environmental Control, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Legal 
and Community Relations all reported on their activities. 
They explained that DESOPADEC awards projects based on level 
of oil production to communities inhabited by all the five 
main ethnic groups in Delta State, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo, 
Isoko and Ndokwa. Some funding is reserved for use on special 
projects, i.e. those carried out in communities with very 
little or no oil production. Based on the documentation of 
the Monitoring and Supervision Department, DESOPADEC has 
undertaken a total of 611 projects, 365 of which were 
initiated in 2007 and a further 246 started in 2008. 
 
Infrastructure, Schools, Clinics, Energy and Agriculture 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
¶3. (U) The range of projects undertaken by DESOPADEC includes 
construction, services, employment, and human development. 
Construction projects cover everything from traditional 
infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, jetties, 
potable water plants, and solar-powered generators to 
development projects such as the building of schools, 
clinics, staff-quarters and housing. DESOPADEC also provides 
free medical services both at mobile clinics or primary care 
clinics. Other projects provide schools with furnishings, 
text-books and laboratory equipment. Agricultural projects 
such as cassava flour mills and poultry and rice farms have 
the double goal of providing employment and reducing hunger. 
DESOPADEC has also initiated a micro-credit scheme, financed 
skills acquisition centers and is providing scholarships to 
students. 
 
Innovative Technologies Fit Area's Needs 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) DESOPADEC has started to focus on innovative but 
small scale technologies for the local generation of power 
because the national grid is too unreliable, particularly for 
medical facilities or water treatment. DESOPADEC officials 
said that both solar and bio-mass energy projects are in 
operation or planned. DESOPADEC has also initiated a 
first-of-its kind project to wring potable water from the 
air. As reported previously (reftel), DESOPADEC is also 
looking into the possibility of establishing up to ten small 
refineries which would provide employment for an estimated 
2,000 people. 
 
Peace Dividend 
-------------- 
 
¶5. (U) Officials of DESOPADEC believe that their small-scale 
but wide-spread development strategy has helped reduce the 
level of anger in communities which has been the breeding 
ground for violence. They pointed out that not one of 
DESOPADEC's projects had ever been the target of criminal or 
militant attack. The development of infrastructure, 
microfinance facilities and support for education and skills 
training, as well as the projects like the refineries and the 
farms that directly create jobs, will, they argue, 
cumulatively ease the unemployment situation. Officials said 
that by bringing development to every community they are 
creating hope and this in turn will bring peace to Delta 
State. 
 
¶6. (U) Comment: Most analyses of the Niger Delta Crisis 
identify unemployment and the lack of development as among 
the root causes of the unrest in the region. While DESOPADEC 
alone cannot provide sustainable services or deliver all the 
development necessary, it makes an important contribution 
both in terms of tangible projects and giving hope. DESOPADEC 
appears to be a major contributor to peace in Delta State and 
serves as encouragement to other states to establish their 
own OPADECS. (Note: Edo and Imo States are the only other 
states of the nine oil producing states to have established a 
similar development agency funded through the state's 
derivation income. End Note.) Although dependent on oil 
revenues, DESOPADEC's projects appear for the most part to be 
self-sustaining. End Summary. 
 
¶7. (U) This cable was cleared by Embassy Abuja. 
 
 
BLAIR