ISOPADEC MD, Chief Austin Onyedebelu Embarks on First Management Inspection
… Visits Eze-elect Stanley Onyedebelu of Offekatta III
… Pays homage to HRM Eze Phillip Uzodimma of Ozuh Omuma
… Pays a courtesy call on Hon. Nnamdi Okwaraigwe
… Inspects the abandoned Marine University site, Ossemoto
The Managing Director of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), Hon. Chief Austin Onyedebelu, on Friday 14th February 2025, commenced his field work, as MD, a fortnight after his inauguration.
The MD began the day with community relations, by visiting Eze-elect Stanley Onyedebelu (Ezeanaeche), Okosisi II of Offektta III Autonomous Community, Awo Omamma, as well as paid homage to HRM Eze Phillip Uzodimma, Eze Ononenyi of Ozuh Omuma Autonomous Community, both in Oru-East Local Government Area, Imo State.
The purpose of the visits is to gradually begin to familiarize himself with the traditional rulers of the oil bearing LGAs, who by implication are landlords of the black gold that is the main reason for the existence of the commission.
The traditional rulers both welcomed him with open arms, prayed for him and they exchanged assurances of mutual cooperation for the good of the State, at large.
Chief Onyedebelu, also, paid a courtesy call on the Executive Chairmen of Oru-East Local Government Area, Chief Nnamdi Okwaraigwe, at the council headquarters, in Omuma. The chairman, in company of a former interim management committee chairman, Hon. Nyerere Ogbonna, the councillors and leaders of men and women as well as youths, in the LGA.
The MD, as always, reiterated that his appointment as CEO of ISOPADEC, by the Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma is a call to serve, and he needs the support of people and leaders of the three LGAs, to succeed. He requested that the chairman should communicate the commission, on possible areas of intervention, as ISOPADEC is purely an interventionist agency. Areas like infrastructure, including Healthcare, roads, schools etc.
The chairman Oru-East LGA, Hon. Nnamdi Okwaraigwe welcomed the MD and pledged his support in any possible way, to help him excel.
The next point of call, was the port city of Ossemoto, in Oguta LGA, where, guided by a former MD of ISOPADEC and presently the Commissioner for Niger Delta affairs, Hon. Prince Henry Okafor, he inspected the abandoned Marine University, Ossemoto, which is a legacy project of the commission, but abandoned over a decade ago, and begging for attention, to make the institution a reality.
The campus which sits on a sixty hectares land, on the bank of the orashi river, has various structures on site, at different stages of completion.
The MD assured that the attention of the Governor will be drawn to that facility, in the of bringing the vision back to life.
Chief Onyedebelu, in company of heads of various units, including, Admin and Finance: Dame Ifunanya Macaulay – Onwusoro, Legal and due process, Barr. Mrs Chinaka Sunday -Iheruo, Planning and monitoring evaluation, Mr. Cliff Emedoro, Health, Accounts, Mrs. Esomobodo, Community affairs and public relations, Mr Promise Ekeh, Agric: Mrs Chizoba Okafor .
On his entourage were other board members including Hon. Chief Bernard Nwanana and Mrs Esther Enoch, among other management staff.
Chief Onyedebelu, a consummate business man, has by his first steps, today, left no one in doubt, that he is poised to bring his entrepreneurial experience to bear, in the running of the office of the MD of ISOPADEC.