The ASOPADEC Boss Informs RAMFC, "We Need More Funds."

We require additional funding – ASOPADEC Chief informs RAMFC The General Manager of the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), Ven. (Dr.) Joshua Onyeike, states that an increase in the oil derivation fund allocated to the agency will facilitate a more effective approach to addressing the unique challenges and developmental requirements of the oil-producing communities. During a meeting with a delegation from the Revenue Allocation Mobilization and Fiscal Commission (RAMFC), led by the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State, Mrs. Nkechi Linda Oti, in his office, Dr. Onyeike emphasized that ASOPADEC, as an interventionist agency, necessitates greater financial resources to support the transformative initiatives of Governor Alex Otti in the state. The ASOPADEC Chief reiterated the Commission's dedication to the swift transformation of oil-producing regions in alignment with Governor Alex Otti's developmental policies, revealing plans for the rehabilitation of electricity in Asa land and the training of youth in various skills. Expressing gratitude to Governor Otti for empowering the Commission in its intervention efforts, Venerable Onyeike outlined several accomplishments during his tenure, including the construction of civic centers, notably the impressive Asa Civic Centre, renovation and retrofitting of numerous public schools, road reconstruction, scholarship awards for underprivileged students, market stall reconstruction, borehole drilling projects, and the distribution of agricultural inputs, among others. He characterized the visit from the Federal Commissioner and her team as significant in the history of the Commission and assured her that his Commission would utilize her esteemed position to improve the conditions of oil-producing areas and other regions of the state. In her address, the head of the delegation and Federal Commissioner representing Abia State in the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mrs. Nkechi Linda Otti, articulated that her visit aimed to engage with pertinent stakeholders within the state government to foster collaborative efforts directed towards advancing the state. The Federal Commissioner, while characterizing Governor Otti as a cooperative leader who has performed admirably in the administration of the state, emphasized that the Governor requires full support from her office for the greater benefit of the state. Additionally, the Director of the State Office on Local Governments within the Commission, Mrs. Florence Oko, along with the Administrative Secretary responsible for Abia and Imo States, Mrs. Elizabeth Okafor, highlighted the importance of establishing a smooth working relationship between the office of the Abia representative in RMAFC and ASOPADEC, and lamented the diminished oil production in Abia, which they largely attributed to acts of vandalism.