By  Fabian Ihekweme


Imo people are busy talking about LGA funds which have been diverted and siphoned for the past five years and still counting, but no one has dared or bothered to question what has happened to the 13% oil derivation allocations for the past five years.


Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) was established by the laws of Imo state CAP. 106 in 2001 to intervene in the development of the oil producing and impacted areas of Imo state. The Act establishing the Commission provides a sharing formula of the 13% oil derivation with the State government getting 60% of the fund while the Commission manages the remaining 40% of the fund.


This arrangement was going on perfectly well under Gov. Achike Udenwa who actually created the Commission and signed it into law. Gov. Achike was so meticulous in observing protocol as far as ISOPADEC was concerned. He never for one day tampered with the 40% belonging to ISOPADEC. In the same vein, Gov. Ikedi Ohakim toed the same path with his predecessor and was never accused of meddling into ISOPADEC funds. Then Gov. Rochas Okorocha was ushered in and he maintained the Status Quo. Infact, the people of Ohaji/Egbema will always remember Gov. Okorocha who through the state share of the derivation fund, paid electricity bills and provided light for them. Gov. Okorocha was also paying the youths some allowances each month. And he was also rehabilitating their roads till the end of his tenure. It didn't stop there, the brief spell of Gov. Emeka Ihedioha witnessed another massive infrastructural development including road infrastructure in the oil producing areas before the unthinkable happened on the 14th of January 2020 which I have not forgiven myself up til today for being part of that brazing roadside ambushing that ushered in the disaster we are experiencing today. I have repeatedly asked God and Ndi Imo to forgive me. I will NEVER go against the People's choice in all my politics moving forward.


One of the Gov. Hope Uzodinma's first assignment was the amendment of the ISOPADEC laws that prescribed 40% of the 13% oil derivation to the Oil Producing Areas. Uzodinma got the House of Assembly to delete the aspect of the law that recommended 40% to the oil producing areas. He didn't stop there, he ordered the House of Assembly to move every aspect of ISOPADEC to his office in Douglas House. The Governor withdrew every services that were being enjoyed by the Oil Producing Areas. Uzodinma even took over the payment of salaries of the staff of ISOPADEC. Every business including award of contracts are now done in the office of the Governor. The Commission has become a deserted war zone. The Youths of Oil Producing Areas who suppose to be the direct beneficiaries of this wonderful creation are now left to languish in hunger, poverty, lack, hardship and deprivations


No crime is perfectly covered. It is evil to blindfold a suffering people and still think that those who lost their lives as a result of that wickedness, will spare you. This is just the beginning. You think the spirit of Ogbonnaya Onu still hovering around you will let you be? Change your ways and return what you have looted back to Imo and regain your peace.


*My name is Omu De Ancient Seer