The bill to repeal the Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ISOPADEC) Law Number 13 of 2010 and replace it with a new law for the establishment of a new board for the Commission has scaled through its second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
The bill, presented by the Chief Whip of the House and member representing Oru East Constituency, Chigozie Nwaneri, will, according to him, also create room for the inclusion of Oru East LGA as an oil-producing area.
Expounding on the bill, the Chief Whip said that the main purpose of the bill is to replace the old law governing the commission, which he said has become obsolete and no longer in touch with present realities.
He maintained that if the bill is passed into law, it will establish a new board for the Commission with the mandate of ensuring even development throughout the oil-producing communities in the state.
He further stated that the Commission shall make proper use of the 40% of the 13% oil derivation fund accruing to the oil-producing communities from the Federal Government for developmental projects.
The Oru East lawmaker explained that the bill will also create an opportunity for the Commission to liaise with both the state and federal governments to tackle environmental challenges such as erosion control, oil spillage, and the protection of oil installations.
“The bill, if passed, will establish a governing board for the Commission. The chairman and members of the board shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.
“The chairman to be appointed shall come from any of the oil-producing areas, with two representatives each from the three local government councils and one representative from each of the three senatorial zones in the state,” he said.
Shedding more light on the bill, Nwaneri pointed out that if passed, the bill will also empower the Commission to have a managing director appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the State Assembly.
The Managing Director will oversee the administrative running of the Commission for a period of four years, with a Director of Legal Services, Corporate Affairs, and Due Process working under him as the Secretary.
He further explained that the new law will ensure that the Commission has its Secretariat in Owerri, the state capital, and offices in every LGA headquarters of the three Local Councils—a move he said will help bring the Commission closer to the people.
After much deliberation, the bill scaled through its second reading and was referred to the House Committee on ISOPADEC, headed by Francis Osuoha, representing Ohaji/Egbema Constituency, for further necessary legislative action.
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