Imo 13% Oil Derivation Funds: Onyiriuka Charges State Assembly on Sustainable Legislation

By Ike Eleugu

An illustrious son of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, Imo State, Engr. Stanley Onyiriuka, has charged the 9th Imo State House of Assembly to make Statutory Law to sustain the 13% Oil Derivation Funds accrued to the Oil and Gas producing communities of Imo State to improve development, promote welfare and wellbeing of the people.

Engr. Onyiriuka who expressed unhappiness, stressed that over the years, Oil and Gas benefits have been eluding the Oil and Gas bearing areas due to lack of proper legislation, law by the government.

Answering questions from journalists on the official inauguration of the 9th Imo State House of Assembly, held at the Assembly Complex, recently in Owerri, Onyiriuka emphasized that the State House of Assembly is the only institution to ensure that the area starts recording development as expected of an oil producing area.

“I want the 9th Imo Assembly to properly bring to bear the law of Oil and Gas. Because since 1959 Ohaji/Egbema has been massively producing oil and gas, but due to lack of proper law the area remains underdeveloped, many benefits eluding the locality. So, let there be laws to make the 13% Oil Derivation Funds Statutory to enable the people benefit wholly from it to better their lots and live happily”, Onyiriuka stated.

He pointed out greed, hatred, nonchalance of the power that be, as reasons for underdevelopment in the zone in the aspect of social amenities like electricity, good road networks, water, effective and affordable healthcare, markets, parks among others adding that the people have been denied employment and job opportunities as well as women empowerment.

Onyiriuka who doubles as Executive Secretary to Ohaji/Egbema local government area and DG, Hecleus Okoro Campaign Organization, added that he expects the member representing Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency, Hon Okoro Hecleus to champion the course of the oil and gas kingdom especially by way of ensuring that the 13% Oil Derivation Revenues is statutorily sustained by law in the House for free and easy access by the people while advising all the 9th Imo legislators to make laws that will be of people’s interest.

He also advised the Governor to govern with human face to move the state forward as well as those who handle the little proceeds from the 13% Oil Derivation Funds, to judiciously use them to promote development and empower the people.

…News Corner.