The newly inaugurated Governing Board of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) has hit the ground running in keeping with the principle of the shared prosperity government of Imo State.

Members of the Board, on Wednesday October 7, had a strategic interface with the management staff at Commission’s Corporate Office in Owerri.

A press release to this effect, signed by ISOPADEC spokesman Promise Onyekachi, said that the Board Chairman, Eze (Prof.) Amuzienwa Dele Odigbo, on behalf of other members of the Board, thanked Governor Hope Uzodimma for finding them worthy to serve while harping on their readiness to make a difference.

“We are here to make a difference, we must develop the oil producing areas of the state. I have asked God to take away this position from us if we are not serious.”

Later, in a maiden management meeting with Heads of Departments, ISOPADEC newly appointed Managing Director, Chief Charles Orie, appreciated them for running the Commission in the absence of a substantive Board.

Chief Orie, who patiently listened as the management team brought him up to speed with the state of affairs in the Commission, assured them that the Commission will grow in leaps and bounds under his leadership, and charged them to be up-and-doing.

In a related development, the Managing Director while meeting with ISOPADEC labour leaders, assured them that the Commission under him would build the needed trust with Governor Uzodimma so that workers complaints, which made them embark on the ill-fated public demonstration, would become a thing of the past.

Chief Orie, while addressing journalists in his office, announced the Commission's readiness and commitment to harness the abundant natural and human resources in the oil producing areas of Imo State for the modernisation, transformation of the ISOPADAC catchment areas, as well an increased income and productivity which would ultimately enhance the quality of life of the rural dwellers.

“It is not going to be a walk in the park as we have a lot to do. However, I am here to serve at the pleasure of the governor and the great people of the oil producing areas, and by extension the whole of Imo state,” he said.