Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo
AWKA, NIGERIA — Governor Chukwuma Soludo has approved the immediate operationalization of the Anambra State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (ANSOPADEC), activating the statutory body to oversee community development across the state’s oil-bearing territories.
In a concurrent move to boost infrastructure in host communities, the Anambra State Executive Council approved the construction of the Atani-Umuezerabia access road in Ogbaru Local Government Area, an oil-rich corridor hosting several active wells.
The Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Charles Ofoegbu, disclosed these developments during a consultative meeting with Ogbaru community stakeholders at the Jerome Udoji State Secretariat in Awka. The delegation was led by the traditional ruler of Ossomala Community, Igwe Victor Awogu.
Commissioner Ofoegbu, accompanied by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Nomso Ebonwu, further announced that procurement has reached an advanced stage for the construction of a new school and a Primary Healthcare Centre in Umuezerabia community.
He called on Ogbaru leaders to submit a formal requisition detailing their priority needs alongside technical recommendations to address environmental and economic challenges linked to hydrocarbon exploration.
“Governor Soludo is deeply committed to the holistic development of Ogbaru Council Area,” Prof. Ofoegbu stated. “We implore stakeholders to go back to the drawing board, properly articulate their needs in a formal requisition to the Governor, and provide technical suggestions on mitigating the impact of oil exploration.”
Speaking on behalf of the delegation through the Secretary of the Ogbaru Summit Development Initiative, Honourable Emmanuel Ifeachor, Igwe Awogu noted that the visit was aimed at fostering strategic alignment with the state government.
“Our objective is to seek meaningful collaboration with the state government toward rural electrification, road construction, heightened security, and ensuring that host communities are fully represented and receive their statutory benefits,” Igwe Awogu affirmed.
The activation of ANSOPADEC marks a pivotal step in managing oil revenues, community relations, and sustainable development initiatives within Anambra State’s oil-producing regions.
