CHIEF CHARLES ORIE RESIGNED BECAUSE OF UZODINMA’S WICKEDNESS ON HIS PEOPLE OF OHAJI/EGBEMA AND PERSONALIZATION OF ISOPADEC FUNDS.

By Ezekwe, Uche, Owerri, Imo State

It is no longer a news in Imo that the Managing Director (MD) of Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ISOPADEC), Chief Charles Orie popularly known as Akuatuegwu has taken the part of Honour while the ovation is high to say goodbye to Uzodinma’s ISOPADEC MD-ship.

For the sake of the reading public, it is important that you are informed and reminded about the primary responsibilities and essence of the creation of ISOPADEC. ISOPADEC didn’t just come into existence from the Moon, it was made possible by illustrious sons of the oil producing areas of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta.

However, this piece may not go into details of ISOPADEC creation but the reasons why it was created and the true state of ISOPADEC and it’s current state of mismanagement by Chief Uzodinma to mare the development of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta and the reasons behind his uncalled attack on Chief Charles Orie, former MD of ISOPADEC.

ISOPADEC, just like DESOPADEC of Delta State were created through the instrumentality of the state and federal government to serve as an INTERVENTION AGENCY to the oil producing communities in Imo. It was designed to develop Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta due to the negative effect of gas flaring in the area.

We understand that oil and gas exploration and development causes disruption of migratory pathways, degradation of important animal habitats, and oil spills which can be devastating to the animals and humans who depend on these ecosystems, etc.

It was on this premise that ISOPADEC was deemed necessary and established in order to cushion the negative effects caused by the oil and gas exploration to these communities housing these oil companies and the oil producing areas. This been said, thus so far, let’s go into Chief Orie’s resignation and why Uzodinma has no right to attack Orie.

For the records, Chief Charles Orie was appointed as the MD of ISOPADEC by Chief Uzodinma on 6th October, 2020.
The Commission is a four year tenured commission and by my calculation, Orie’s tenure has not expired and I wonder why Uzodinma could have the guts to say, Orie’s tenure has expired. This is very unfortunate.

Again, Uzodinma exposed himself by not knowing the position which Orie was appointed into either as Chairman or MD. Through Uzodinma’s spokesperson for the 3R government, Hon. Declan Emelumba, he described Orie’s position as the Chairman of ISOPADEC and this goes a long way to show Ndi Imo that we are governed by a confused set of persons in Imo.

Therefore, Uzodinma must have to come clean and clear with another Press Release and tell Ndi Imo the position Orie was appointed into and his tenure expiration date instead of the falsehood he has continued sale to Ndi Imo.

Yes, I read, you read and we read Chief Orie’s resignation letter as submitted and acknowledged but then, he penned that love letter in order not to give the public the room to discover or decode the wickedness of Uzodinma in ISOPADEC. It has been alleged in some quarters and authorities that chief Uzodinma does not allow Chief Charles Orie 20% authority in the management of the resources accrued to ISOPADEC.

Another source also alleged that Uzodinma controls over 90% of the 13 percent oil derivation funds. Uzodinma releases only staff salaries and #10m to the MD and Chairman of the Commission while pocketing the rest of the funds all to himself alone.

If you are in Orie’s shoe you will have no option than to resign even though his resignation came in very late but it’s better to be late than never.

Take a visit to Ohaji/Egbema and you will shed tears and question if this LGA is part of Nigeria, let alone being an oil producing Local Government in Imo State. It sad, it is unfortunate and God in heaven shall fight this battle and give us, the people of Ohaji/Egbema under Uzodinma’s nose, Victory.

Finally, those trying to defend the indefensible should desist from such, forthwith.
More resignations await the Uzodinma’s 3R government soon.