
ANAMBRA ASSEMBLY ANNOUNCES CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES AS BILL FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF ANSOPADEC PASSES 2ND READING
REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
A bill for a Law to establish Anambra State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ANSOPADEC, 2023 has passed through second reading on the floor of the state House of Assembly.
The Private member bill which is sponsored by the member representing Ogbaru Constituency One, Mr. Noble Igwe, seeks to provide for an organized management and administrative structure for an effective use of oil derivation funds accruing to Anambra State Government for the purpose of tackling under development of the producing areas.
According to Mr. Igwe, when the commission is established, it will help to also tackle the ecological problems, which may arise from the exploration of oil minerals in the Oil and Gas producing areas of the state.
Mr. Igwe said there were a lot of problems associated with oil exploration, including oil spillage, environmental degredation, gas flaring, which the commission, when established, would help to ensure that the people of the region would be fairly and equitably treated in terms of development.
He expressed regret that so far, the local government areas producing the oil in the state lacked basic amenities and infrastructure, including good access road and other standard healthcare facilities, hence the need for the government to create the Commission to address the challenges.
Supporting the bill, Mr. Ejike Okechukwu of Anaocha Constituency II, said “the goose that lays the golden eggs” should be made to enjoy the benefits of its effort after relevant consideration.
Mr. Obi Nweke of Anambra East Constituency, described the bill as very important as it seemed to manage the proceeds from the exploration of oil in the oil producing communies even as he expressed regret that the exploration would no doubt affect the farmers whose farmlands and produce would be damaged in the process.
The member representing, Njikoka Constituency One, Chidiebele Ibemeka, who recalled that there had been a lot of protests by oil producing Communies across the country over lack of basic amenities, including good drinking water.
He therefore harped the need for the establishment of the commission in order to start on time to address the already identified impediments .
Mr. Kingsley Udemezue of Idemili North and Mr. Tony Moubike, representing Aguata Constituency II, expressed the hope that the commission, when established would enable the host Communies to channel their problems and challenges of environmental degredation properly without disrupting any process.
The Majority leader of the House, Mr. Ikenna Ofodeme, and the member representing Ekwusigo Constituency, observed that the commission would not only protect the interest of the host Communities but put into consideration the safety of the exploring companies and their facilities.
The bill was later referred to a joint House Committee on Petroleum and Environment to report back to the plenary in two weeks time.
Earlier the Speaker, Mr. Somtochukwu Udeze, read out names of chairmen of various Commitees, including Works headed by Mr. Emma Nwafor, representing Orumba South; Finance and Appropriation, Mr. Ejike Okechukwu of Anaocha Constituency II; Transport, Mr. Patrick Udeoba of Anambra West Constituency; Women Affairs and Social Justice, Ms Nkechi Ogbuefi representing Anaocha Constituency One as well as Committee on Trade and Commerce, headed by Mr. Innocent Ojike representing Oyi Constituency among others.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU