By Yemì Oyeyemi, Abuja
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has revealed how his administration saved a whopping sum of about of 800 million naira within the last two months of his assumption of office from corrupt elites in the Imo State Oil Producing Development Commission (ISOPADEC)
The governor had on assumption of office, beamed a searchlight on ISOPADEC as parts of the bold steps to stop the continuous mis-appropriation and embezzlement of fund in the commission.
Governor Uzodinma made the revealation at the palace of the traditional ruler of Mmahu community in Ohaji Egbema while meeting with stakeholders in the oil rich Ohaji Egbema local government area of Imo state.
The Governor who lamented the misappropriation of funds by the elites and leaders of the area said the huge sum is actually part of fund meant for the development and growth of the oil communities.
He vowed that his administration will not support any anti- people policies as he will ensure that monies and allocation meant for the people of oil producing communities are judiciously used for the development of the area.
In his words “My interest is to protect your own interest, only two months I took over as Governor, I have N800 million saved from ISOPADEC, but before now, you don’t get the money, they bring the money and the leaders share it leaving the people to die in hunger and poverty,
“But if we save that money, we come here and call a meeting, the communities will choose the project they want, we will award the project and make sure the projecst are done”. the governor said
The governor reiterated that his administration will continue to ensure lasting peace in the oil rich of Ohaji Egbema Local Government area of Imo state.
While promising the people of the community of his readiness to provide adequate security for lives and properties, governor Uzodinma appealed to the leaders of Ohaji Egbema to differentiate right from wrong by helping the youths to desist from thuggery and other social vices that cause instability in the area.
Earlier, the traditional ruler of Mmahu community, in Ohaji Egbema, his royal highness Austin Iwuogu while commending the governor for his timely visit to the area, enumerated some of the challenges faced by the people of the community as a result of activities of oil companies in the area.
The monarch appealed for the governor’s intervention as quick as possible to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.