Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma, said he has saved N800 million of Imo state Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ISOPADEC, fund from embezzlement since he assumed office by halting the misappropriation and embezzlement of funds the commission.
Speaking at the Palace of the Traditional Ruler of Mmahu community in Imo state, the governor expressed sadness at the high level of misappropriation of funds by the leaders of ISOPADEC. Such funds, according to him, were meant for the people and for the development of the state..
Mmahu is an oil rich community in Ohaji Egbema local government of the state.
Lamenting the spate of embezzlement rampant in the Commission, Uzodinma said his government will not support anti people policies.
According to him, they were hiding under power expenses to siphon funds. At an instance, they brought a bill of N83 million as power consumption bill in a state that has few industries. TThis bill they said was consumed by ISOPADEC in one month.
“So I set up a committee (for) verification”, he said. “Let us reconcile and know how much we are owing.”
Noting that his only interest is the protection of the people, he said the accrued funds will be used for developmental projects of the villages and towns they are meant for without being embezzled.
“Oil is becoming a punishment rather than a blessing from God”, he said.
In recent times, the governor had called on the people of Imo State to support government efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.
