The Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nkem Ihedioha, has praised the current Governing Board members of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) for their sense of industry in the development of the oil producing areas of the state.

He also praised the Deputy Governor, Engr. Gerald Irona for being painstaking in the selection of the members of the Board.

A release in Owerri by the PRO of ISOPADEC, Mr. Precious Onyekachi, said Governor Ihedioha, Friday at Oguta Civic Centre in Oguta LGA, speaking on the occasion of the First Security Summit of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta LGAs, showered the encomiums.

Ihedioha said: “When we started this government, I told you people that I will not beinterested in your money,But I will monitor whatyou do with it. I then directed the Deputy Governor to ensure that those to be appointed as Board Members are people of proven integrity. People who understand that we must Rebuild Imo. We even went ahead to constitute an Advisory Committee for them to be careful.

“Let me seize this time to thank the Deputy Governor for spearheading a thorough selection process. From every available indices, I can confirm that this board is doing very, very well.”

The governor took special delight in the restoration of electricity in some parts of Oguta, and assured that very soon, it will get to other areas of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta, including Awarra Court Area.

“As you can see, some areas in Oguta have been reconnected to the national grid. We shall spread it to all other areas of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta. I have instructed that ISOPADEC and Walter Smith will join hands in the electrification of Awarra Court Area. We shall come for its flag off, soon. I am sure that the people of Awarra Court Area will remember, after we give them light, how they were living in darkness. The era of government deceiving our people is gone,” Ihedioha said.

Earlier while speaking on the occasion, Deputy Governor Irona averred that ISOPADEC money is now judiciously utilised for the interest of the people, citing the ongoing projects of the Commission in the oil producing areas as case study.

He noted, however, that no meaningful development can take place in an environment where cultism, kidnapping, oil bunkering, banditry, rape, armed robbery, proliferation of arms, and herders/farmers conflict are the order of the day, and therefore commended ISOPADEC for the donation of six brand new Hilux vehicles to security outfits in the Imo State oil region, for their operations.

Reacting on behalf of the ISOPADEC Board, the Chairman, Barr. Magnus Obido, expressed his profound gratitude for the opportunity given to them toserve their people, and added that thecommendation from Governor Ihedioha and his Deputy, Engr. Irona, will inspire them to work harder.

The Chairman revealed that, from the beginning, ISOPADEC Board members resolved to eschew personal interest and internal wrangling, and this is the secret of the success they have recorded so far.