Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Odidika Uzodimma has reiterated his commitment to reforming the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) for the betterment of the people of the oil producing communities of the State.
Gov. Uzodimma made this known during his meeting at the Sam Mbakwe expanded EXCO Chambers in the Imo State Government House, Owerri with some traditional rulers and political leaders from the area, who had come to plead with him to intervene for the release of detained ISOPADEC staff accused of being responsible for a recent attack on the Governor’s convoy and also to ask him to pay close attention to the ordeals of the oil-rich Commission by manning the agency with capable hands that could pilot her affairs to achieve meaningful results.
The Governor spoke passionately, frowning at ugly situation that despite the quantum of funds received as 13% oil derivative over the years, little or nothing could be pointed as mega and sustainable projects in the area to the credit of ISOPADEC.
He remarked that the sustenance of the forensic audit initiated by the previous government was to guide his government properly in order to get to the root cause of the problems bedeviling the commission and put a complete stop to the marginalization of the people of oil producing communities.
Gov. Uzodimma re-echoed that ISOPADEC funds were still intact and will be put to good use this time for rapid development of the oil region, promising that a board would in place in a few days time that would be manned by eminent personalities and seasoned administrators with a robust supervisory mechanism to checkmate their activities.
On the detainees, Gov Uzodimma remarked that he has no hands in their arrest as that was solely done by the Police and even though as a Governor, he could intervene, but he allowed the law to take it’s course to serve as deterrent.
The Governor however gave his word to intervene in obtaining their release, having heard the appeal of the delegation, comprising of those he identified as the real stakeholders from the oil region of the State.
Those who made up the delegation included: Hon. Jones Uzoka, Dr. Henry Okafor, Chief Gideon Meffor, Engr. Davis Ogbuji, Hon. Cassidy Ohamara, HRH Eze Dr. S. A Okwodu, HRH Eze F. C, HRH Eze A.F.C Emetumah, HRH Eze Dele Odigbo, HRH Eze I.O Asor, HRH W.A.C Uwakwe et al.
Present at the meeting also were: Prof. Placid Njoku, Deputy Governor of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu, Secretary of Government of Imo State, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, Chief of Staff, IMSG, Barr. Emeka Sydney Agbor, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations IMGH, Hon. Francis Dibiagwu, Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Opiah, Imo State Coordinator of Oil and Gas, Sir Bright Nwalue, Chief of Protocol to the Governor, Hon. Mrs. Nneamaka Okafor, SA to the Governor on New and Electronic Media, Hon. Modestus Nwankpa, SA, Print Media, Hon. Goziem Nzeribe, SA, Drainages and De-silting among others.