By Onyekachi Eze
People of Oru East Local Government Area, Imo State, and by extension, other oil producing councils across the State can now have every reason to be proudly pronounced as the “oil bank” of the State, following the motion calling on the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to integrate the oil producing areas into the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (ISOPADEC) programs.
The motion received a nod of the Imo lawmakers during the Tuesday’s plenary session at the hallow chambers of Imo State House of Assembly, presided by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Ugonna Ozuruigbo.
Earlier in his presentation, the Chief Sponsor of the motion, and member representing Oru East in IMHA, Hon. Nkenna John Nzeruo noted that as an oil producing State in the Federation, there are new discoveries and explorations of oil deposits on daily basis.
Recalling that the Federal Government in an effort to combat the prevalent ecological and environmental hazards experienced in the oil producing communities created the 13% oil Derivative Special Fund for the affected oil producing States, as means of compensating them for the damages being exposed to from exploitative activities.
It further said that down to Imo State, it disburses her own share through ISOPADEC, stressing that Oru East LGA housing a very good number of oil rigs, with numerous pipe line networks producing several barrels of oil by Addax Petroleum Development Company Nigeria undertaking drilling works, completed in Oru East with full force, which greatly affects both aquatic and human health.
Hon Nzeruo continues by letting the House knows that as an oil producing Local Government Area in Imo, it is yet to be incorporated into the programs and benefits of the ISOPADEC since commencement of oil exploration.
However, after robust deliberations with the “is” having it, the House resolved that His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha be urged to integrate Oru East LGA into the programs and activities of the ISOPADEC for the interest of justice, equity and fair play.
Meanwhile, Hon Nkenna Nzeruo is reported to have received accolades from his constituents who expressed satisfaction on his representation, and by giving them the desired voice in the law making Chambers of the State.
