The General Manager of the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), Ven. Joshua Onyeike, has called for an upward review of the oil derivation fund to enable the Commission to better address the developmental challenges facing oil-producing communities in the state.
In a statement issued by the Commission’s Information Unit, Onyeike made the appeal during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Revenue Allocation Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RAMFC), led by Mrs. Nkechi Linda Oti, the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State.
Onyeike emphasized that ASOPADEC, as a strategic intervention agency mandated to drive development in oil-producing areas and beyond, requires increased funding to sustain and expand its developmental projects, which align with the transformation agenda of Governor Alex Otti.
Describing the RAMFC visit as historic, Onyeike assured that ASOPADEC would continue to utilize its resources and partnerships to uplift oil-producing communities and positively impact other parts of Abia State.
Onyeike highlighted several milestones recorded under his leadership, including the construction of civic centres, including the Asa Civic Centre, retrofitting of public schools, reconstruction of key access roads, award of scholarships to indigent students, rehabilitation of market stalls and drilling of boreholes and provision of potable water
He also revealed that ASOPADEC is set to launch new projects, such as the rehabilitation of electricity infrastructure in Asa communities and youth vocational training programs.
The ASOPADEC boss expressed gratitude to Governor Alex Otti for providing the Commission with the resources and political will to carry out impactful intervention projects across the oil-bearing regions.
In her remarks, Mrs. Nkechi Linda Oti, the RAMFC Federal Commissioner, explained that the delegation’s visit aimed to foster collaboration with key stakeholders in Abia State to promote good governance and equitable resource allocation.
She commended Governor Otti’s leadership style, describing him as a team player who has done well in the governance of Abia State, and pledged her office’s continued support to help the state achieve its developmental goals.
