The General Manager of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) Dr Joshua Onyeike has restated the commitment of the Commission to collaborate with oil companies operating in Abia State for more intervention activities in the oil and gas host communities.
Baring his mind on the activities of the Commission, Dr. Onyeike said the Commission is already engaging with Millenuim Oil and Gas Company operating in Ukwa West LGA as directed by the State Governor Dr. Alex Otti for the company to embark on developmental projects that will impact on the lives of the host communities hinting that the Commission will ensure that the responsibilities of the oil companies are properly carried out for the collective interest of the communities.
The General Manager disclosed that the Commission has completed more than 11 water boreholes majorly in Ukwa West and East LGA aimed at providing communities in the hinterland with good drinking water and thereby assist in reduction of water born diseases.
In Infrastructural transformation, Dr Onyeike said that the Commission has completed the reconstruction of Umuokomiri road, Umuokwor civic Hall, Classroom blocks at Owor Asa Community Primary School, 160 open stalls at Orie Market, Umuajoha Obuzor Asa and disclosed that the construction work at the imposing Asa Civic Centre is at 80% completion stage which will soon be commissioned by the State Governor.
On human capital development, the ASOPADEC Boss expressed satisfaction with the fact that above one hundred students have graduated from the scholarship scheme of the Commission informing that over 100 students registered for the 2024 WAEC and JAMB by the Commission are already benefiting from the scheme in the 2025 academic at the Abia State University, Uturu.
Furthermore, the General Manager said that the Commission engages in health care and environmental activities within the host communities pointing out that apart from sponsoring eye care medical outreach for Ukwa West LGA that it has funded the retrofitting of eye care Centre at the General hospital Okeikpe while embarked on constant refuse disposals, desilting of drainages and fumigation of select schools in Ukwa West and East LGA respectively and assured that the Commission will not relent in complementing striving developmental efforts of Dr. Alex Otti,OFR for a new Abia especially in the Oil and Gas host communities and beyond.
Iyke Onuegbu and Chinwe Anunobi
Information Officers, ASOPADEC.