Press Release.
UNGUARDED ATTACK ON THE GENERAL MANAGER OF ASOPADEC BY DON UBANI.
The attention of The General Manager,Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) Venerable Dr. Joshua Onyeike has been drawn to the recent press release by Don Ubani, a former Commissioner of Information in the past administration which made its round in the news space titled ” Governor Otti’s continuous Display of Disdain for Ukwa People,One too many”
The release is, to say the least, a continuation of the unguarded, unwarranted, and unfounded utterances and attack on the amiable Governor of Abia State Dr. Alex Chioma Otti OFR and the General Manager of ASOPADEC Ven. Dr Joshua Ogadinma Onyeike.
Some of the issues as contained in the release are as follows:
1. That Governor Alex Otti has pathological hatred and disdain for Ukwa People.
2. That 30% of 13% oil derivation fund is not “sufficient” and that the governor hardly releases funds to ASOPADEC.
While it is not necessary to join issues with Don Ubani, the Commission is spurred by the need to put the records straight in proper perspective and refute the unfounded and mischievous intent of the news to avoid misleading the discerning minds of the public.
For the avoidance of any iota of doubt, the Oil rich Ukwa Land has never had it better under the present leadership of Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti,OFR.
The governor has been magnanimous in showing love and care for Ukwa people in thought and in actions. It will interest the public to know that the first project commissioned by Dr. Alex Chioma Otti OFR in the early days of his office was the Umuokomiri Obehie road done by ASOPADEC.
The governor has visited Ukwa West LGA severally on official duties.One of such visits was the inauguration of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) . The continuous presence of the governor in the area is a clear indication that he has the interest of the people at heart and is determined to unlock their economic potential.
Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission is an interventionist agency created by law that allocates 30% of 13% oil derivation fund to the Commission for the purpose of the development of the area. Of course, the 30% is not ” sufficient ” for the enormity of development needs of the area. It was the administration Don Ubani served that created the Commission and allotted only 30% of the 13% to the Commission. The question begging for the answer is, What efforts did Don Ubani put up to effect positive change in the percentage funds due the Commission?
No attempt was made. He is aware that it requires the amendment of the law for any increment in the fund available for the Commission.
The Member Representing Ukwa West State constituency in the state Assembly is a member of Don Ubani’s party.What have they made in initiating an amendment in the law?
The good news today is that erious efforts are being made to effect changes in the law to effect the needed changes by the new leadership of the Commission and will soon yield fruits.
The reason is, to give the
Asa People good sense of belonging in the development of their land and Abia at large.
It takes a man who has the interest of his people at heart to embark on this kind of positive step and not otherwise as posited by Don Ubani.
Don Ubani should know that since May, 29th 2023, Governor Alex Otti has not defaulted in the release of 30% funds due to the Commission. In the months where 30% funds were not enough to pay salaries and carry out interventional duties, the Gov approves funds to aid the Commission in carrying out her duties.This is the reason behind meaningful impacts the Commission has made within the few months of the new administration of Ven. Dr. Onyeike as the General Manager.
Apart from the reconstruction of Umuokomiri Obehie Road, the Commission has constructed several borehole projects in the area. The reconstruction of Ahia Orie at Umuojuoha Obuzor Asa is at the completion stage, while work is ongoing at the gigantic Asa Civic hall that was abandoned 12 years ago by NDDC. The Commission has registered over 150 students of Asa Land and Abians in 2024 WAEC and JAMB, respectively, and has sustained the undergraduate scholarship program, which takes so much funds to execute.
In order to relieve the people of Asa from the problems of bad roads, it has recently released funds for the reconstruction of Umuada Obehie to Asa High School Road. Reconstruction of a school block is at the completion stage in Owo Asa in Ukwa West LGA and will soon be commissioned.
It is necessary to place on record that the Commission was left in a sorry state of comatose by the past administration, which was resuscitated by the dogged and courageous efforts of the new administration.
There are many other tangible developmental engagements the Commission has made under the leadership of Ven. Dr. Onyeike as powered by the State Governor, Dr Alex Otti.
The above-mentioned projects are verifiable. They are all visible to the public. If the governor has not been releasing funds, how will these projects be executed?
The irony of the claims of Don Ubani is that the people of Ukwa West LGA under the auspices of Asa Development Union, the Apex social cultural organisation of Asa Land led by her Acting President General, Barr. Godson Ihenko, alongside a delegation of the youths and women basking in the euphoria of the positive impacts Dr. Alex Otti’s administration paid a thank you visit to Venerable Onyeike recently. An indication that Don Ubani is not saying the truth about Ukwa People. The love and care of the Governor for Ukwa People is not only unwavering but uncommon.
On the allegation , there is a disagreement between the General Manager of ASOPADEC Ven Dr. Onyeike and the Mayor of Ukwa West LGA, this insinuation will continue to remain a mirage in the hearts and minds of Don. Ubani and his cohorts .It will interest the reading public to know that ,at no time did the General Manager lead any delegation to the Governor against the Mayor of Ukwa West LGA Hon. Newman Azu. The Mayor enjoys the support of the General Manager who is the leader of Ukwa West Labour Party. Don Ubani will continue to be disappointed that the seed of discord he sows is not yielding any result as Ukwa West Labour party will continue to wax stronger.
Iyke Onuegbu.
P.R.O.
