ISOPADEC releases N114m Watersmith counterpart funding for oil communities

• Imo monarchs, NHRC commission partner on defence of oppressed
• Group petitions IGP over threats, alleged misconduct of officers

The Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) has released N114m under the Watersmith Petroman Limited’s counterpart funding to oil-bearing communities in Ohaji for development projects.

This was revealed in a statement issued by Damian Opara, Media Assistant to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ISOPADEC, Chief Charles Orie.

“In line with the MD/CEO’s accountability, transparency, integrity and open door policy, the N114m counterpart funding paid for the Electrification of some parts of Ohaji by Watersmith Petroman Limited has been released to some communities for the execution of projects chosen by people of the benefitting communities,” the statement reads.

ALSO, Chairman of Imo State Traditional Council, Eze Emmanuel C. Okeke, has assured the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of the monarchs’ readiness to collaborate with the commission in ensuring that the rights of the less privileged were protected.

Okeke disclosed this when officials of the commission, led by Ikechukwu Ironali, visited him in Owerri, as part of 16 days activism on sensitisation to violence against women.

He pointed out the obnoxious practices such as gender-based violence, injustice and discrimination was degrading and against the international convention.

He maintained that everyone needed justice and fair treatment irrespective of gender, tribe and religion for peaceful and progressive society, commending them for their visit to the monarchs to intimate them with their aspiration and mandate.

In the event attended by traditional rulers from Owerri zone, Ezeimo pledged to consider all the suggestions in their strategic plans.

A HUMAN rights group, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has charged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, to investigate alleged misconduct of some officers attached to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT Police Command, Abuja, led by Sunday Agboji.

In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, it alleged that the conduct of the officers portrayed them as people hired by criminal suspects to help them settle scores and evade justice.

He recalled that in April 2021, President-General of Itu Autonomous Community in Ezinihite Mbaise Council, Imo State, Clifford Chukwunonyerem, approached RULAAC with a complaint concerning a petition he sent to Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 9 Police Headquarters, Umuahia, Abia State.

He explained that the petition, dated April 20, 2021, bordered on alleged criminal conspiracy, attempted murder, terrorism financing, unlawful possession of firearms, arson and breach of public order against a suspected criminal gang allegedly sponsored by Oliver Osuagwu and Alex Eberendu from Itu.

“Clifford informed RULAAC about his suspicion that the investigating team at Zone 9, Umuahia, by their conduct and posture, may have been compromised by the accused persons, especially the alleged wealthy sponsors with a view to derailing investigation and evading justice,” the statement reads.

He, therefore, sought RULAAC’s intervention to ensure that the investigation was diligently conducted and concluded without interference and manipulation and the accused persons prosecuted, if found culpable.