By Dikachi Elemba, in Owerri
In line with the transparency and open door policy of Charles Orie, managing director and chief executive officer of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), the commission has released N114 million counterpart fund for the electrification of some parts of Ohaji by Watersmith Petroman Limited for the execution of projects chosen by people of the affected communities in Ohaji.
Prior to the release of the money, the critical stakeholders from all the affected communities held series of meetings where it was resolved that the money should be channelled to other projects that will help in alleviating the sufferings of the people since the oil companies operating in the areas have taken over the electrification of the communities.
In fulfilment of one of the projects chosen by Assa/ Obile communities, a security patrol vehicle was provided for the Nigeria Police Force to be used for the effective patrol of Assa and Obile communities.
Emmanuel Assor, the Eze of Assa autonomous community, who handed the patrol vehicle over to the Imo State police commissioner through the divisional police officer, Ohaji, thanked Governor Hope Uzodinma for releasing the money and assured the governor of the total support of Ohaji people.
He also thanked Charles Orie, CEO, ISOPADEC, for the good leadership qualities he exhibited in making sure that the money gets directly to the real owners, and said that he would ensure that all the projects for which the money was meant for are executed.
Orie,who was represented by Bethel Nwosu, urged the police to effectively deploy the vehicle for security duties in Assa and Obile communities, and assured police of the full cooperation of ISOPADEC.
The commissioner of police, represented by the DPO of Ohaji Mba, thanked both Orie and Eze Assor for their gesture, and promised that the police would use the vehicle effectively.
Projects chosen by other communities, which ranged from water projects, security post building, had all been started with the indigenes of the affected communities being used as the contractors.
It is worthy to note that all the contractors executing all the projects, which the WaterSmith fund is being used for, are indigenous contractors from the communities where the projects are sited and were all nominated by the communities.
