Uzodimma condemns oil producing area youths for blocking state, SPDC’s officials

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has said he would take appropriate action against some youths from Assa, in Ohaji/Egbema Local Council for blocking his representative, Commissioner for Petroleum and Environment, Dr. Ikechukwu Njoku; officials of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC); security operatives and journalists from inspecting projects built by SPDC in the area.

Uzodimma, who was represented by the Commissioner, wondered why Assa Community President General, Obodo Barthlomew, with some community youths, prevented them from accessing the site of where construction of a building funded by SPDC under the N1.3b infrastructural development undertaken via the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), with the communities represented by the Cluster Development Boards (CDBs), led by Casmir Ekeruo and others.

Obodo had insisted that he would not grant access to the officials because he and the community’s monarch were not notified about the visit.

Also, the governor has appealed to oil producing communities to stop stealing equipment and other items installed in their areas.

Uzodimma appealed to them to protect the facilities and structures to enjoy more of such.

In his reaction, leader of the SPDC on the inspection tour, Anyim, said the company had earmarked N1. 3b to provide the felt needs in the communities.

He disclosed that the multi-billion naira Assa North Gas Development Project started over a year ago, and has employed about 200 youths from the communities.

Anyim said on completion, at peak production, it would produce 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, with electricity generated distributed to the communities and Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben pipeline network.