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BY SUNNY A. DAVID, AWKA
In a significant move to boost the development of oil producing areas in Anambra State, the State House of Assembly has passed the Anambra State Oil and Gas Development Commission (ANSOPADEC) Bill 2024 into law.
The legislation, which was approved on the floor of the State Legislature, aims to establish a commission that will oversee the development of oil and gas resources in the State, ensuring that host communities benefit from the wealth generated by these natural resources.
This followed the consideration of the report of the Joint House Committee on Petroleum & Mineral Resources and Committee on Environment on the Anambra State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ANSOPADEC) Bill, 2024 at the ‘Committee of the Whole’ and subsequently moved by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme for the Bill to be read a third time and was seconded by the deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Noble Igwe and its final passage into Law by the Lawmakers during plenary on May 28.
The Law seeks to provide for an organized management and administrative structure for an effective use of the 50 percent or any increase percentage of the 13 percent Oil
Derivation Fund accruing to Anambra State Government for the purpose of
tackling the under development and ecological problems which may arise from the exploration and exploitation of oil minerals in the Oil and Gas Producing, Areas of Anambra State.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze who presided over the plenary had moved for the adoption of the Bill while the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through voice votes.
Rt. Hon. Udeze expressed appreciation to the Lawmakers for making sure that the Bill was passed.
The Speaker said that the Law will come into force from June 27, 2024, when the governor must have assented to it.
It would be recalled that the House had expressed worrisome over the unwholesome attitude being exhibited by the company exploring crude oil and gas at Ogwuikpele community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the State.
This followed a report submitted by the Committee on Petroleum and Mineral Resources headed by Hon. Chidi Ibemeka.
Officers report are of the Ministry of Information Awka, Anambra State.
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