…Says oil-producing communities are benefiting from renewed development drive
A critical leader from Ohaji/Egbema and Patron of Egbema Youths, Prince Francis Uzor, has declared that the people of the Niger Delta Region will resist any attempt to discredit or distract the Managing Director of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), Chief Austin Onyedebelu, from what he described as an ongoing development drive across oil-producing communities.
Uzor, who is the son of late HRM Eze S. N. Uzor, Nze-Obi of Egbema, said the people of ISOPADEC had witnessed significant attention to their needs under the present leadership of the Commission.
Speaking in Owerri on Saturday, Uzor recalled that his late father had previously served as Chairman of ISOPADEC, saying that since the establishment of the Commission, oil-producing communities had not experienced the level of attention to youth development, healthcare, education and staff welfare which he said is currently being witnessed under the present management.
He cautioned against attempts to distract the leadership of ISOPADEC from its responsibilities to the oil-producing communities, saying those involved in actions that undermine the Commission’s developmental agenda would face strong opposition from stakeholders in the region.
He, however, stressed that such opposition should remain within lawful and peaceful channels.
“Whoever is involved in this campaign is working against the interest of the region. Enough is enough,” he declared.
He reiterated that the current administration of the Commission had demonstrated a commitment to addressing issues affecting the people of the region.
“The people of ISOPADEC have never had it so good since the inception of the Commission, with the exception of the period when my late father, Nze-Obi of Egbema, HRM Eze S. N. Uzor, led the Commission as Chairman”, Uzor said.
He commended Onyedebelu for his efforts to transform the Commission and improve its impact on communities within its mandate, particularly in youth development, healthcare, education and staff welfare.
The Ohaji/Egbema leader also reacted to recent campaigns and criticisms directed at the ISOPADEC MD, warning that such activities should not be allowed to distract the Commission from its developmental responsibilities.
“We will resist anyone leading a campaign against our God-sent MD or trying to distract him from the ongoing developmental strides in the region,” he stated.
Uzor said the people of the oil-producing communities were interested in development and would not want unnecessary controversies to derail ongoing initiatives, alleging that some individuals were interested in occupying the position of Managing Director of the Commission and describing such interests as premature.
“We are aware of people eyeing the office, but we say to them: there is no vacancy for the duration of the tenure of this board,” he said.
Uzor urged those with political or personal interests concerning the leadership of the Commission to allow the present board to complete its tenure.
The statement comes amid growing public discussion concerning the leadership of ISOPADEC and recent criticisms directed at Chief Austin Onyedebelu.
Uzor called on stakeholders in the oil-producing areas to focus their attention on programmes capable of improving the welfare of youths, communities and workers within the region rather than allowing political disagreements to distract from development.
