23:09
Hundreds of aggrieved youths from Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State today protested in Akure,the state capital over the released of the embattled Chairman of the State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission [OSOPADEC], Prince Debo Ajimuda by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC].
The protesters also accused the state government of appointing Ajimuda as the chairman of the commission in order to loot the treasury of the oil region, despite earlier protest over Ajimuda’s appointment.
The youth under the aegis of the Ilaje Democratic Network for Development (DND) marched on Akure, particularly around Alagbaka area and other parts of the state capital, with placards of various inscriptions.
The inscriptions read: “Commissioner for Finance, where is the 40% of the 13% oil derivation for the past three years?”; “The sharing of Ilaje money must stop now” .
“Those who have participated in the looting of Ilaje money will account for it and we will not allow them to have peace until full account is rendered.”
The Youth Leader, Aladetan Babatunde, said it was the pick of heartlessness for some people to have mismanaged funds meant for the development of the oil producing areas which have been damaged by pollution resulting from oil producing activities.
“In 2007 when Governor Olusegun Mimiko came to campaign in Ilaje, he raised our hope by promising that he would increase the OSOPADEC fund from 40% to 45% of the oil derivation from the federation account. But we cannot see 2% in the last three years of this administration.
“However in 2009, the LP ‘s government met a budget of N18bn left by the immediate past Dr. Olusegun Agagu government. Yet they could not continue with the on-going projects nor initiate new ones. The money went down the drain.
“The most embarrassing thing is that in 2010, OSOPADEC had a budget of N26bn and it was squandered on frivolities. No single developmental project has been put in place to salvage the environment already damaged by pollution and erosion arising from oil exploration and exploitation.
“This is antithetical to the spirit of the law that established the commission and the interest of our people that are wallowing in penury.”
It will be recalled that the OSOPADEC Boss was apprehended last week by officials of the Anti-graft agency in Alagbaka area hiding in his neighbour’s house, putting on singlet and boxer.
“Daily Post” gathered that the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko who said he was not aware about the coming of the EFCC to the state was disturbed about the EFCC officials.
It was also gathered that the state governor allegedly offered the team leader of the anti-graft agency N25million bribe in order to stop the arrest of Ajimuda, but rejected by the team leader.
15 of his flashy cars are presently in the custody of Ondo State Police Command in Akure.
Already, Ajimuda has been released on Monday, but three officials from accounting department in the commission have been invited by the EFCC for further interrogation.
The protesters also accused the state government of appointing Ajimuda as the chairman of the commission in order to loot the treasury of the oil region, despite earlier protest over Ajimuda’s appointment.
The youth under the aegis of the Ilaje Democratic Network for Development (DND) marched on Akure, particularly around Alagbaka area and other parts of the state capital, with placards of various inscriptions.
The inscriptions read: “Commissioner for Finance, where is the 40% of the 13% oil derivation for the past three years?”; “The sharing of Ilaje money must stop now” .
“Those who have participated in the looting of Ilaje money will account for it and we will not allow them to have peace until full account is rendered.”
The Youth Leader, Aladetan Babatunde, said it was the pick of heartlessness for some people to have mismanaged funds meant for the development of the oil producing areas which have been damaged by pollution resulting from oil producing activities.
“In 2007 when Governor Olusegun Mimiko came to campaign in Ilaje, he raised our hope by promising that he would increase the OSOPADEC fund from 40% to 45% of the oil derivation from the federation account. But we cannot see 2% in the last three years of this administration.
“However in 2009, the LP ‘s government met a budget of N18bn left by the immediate past Dr. Olusegun Agagu government. Yet they could not continue with the on-going projects nor initiate new ones. The money went down the drain.
“The most embarrassing thing is that in 2010, OSOPADEC had a budget of N26bn and it was squandered on frivolities. No single developmental project has been put in place to salvage the environment already damaged by pollution and erosion arising from oil exploration and exploitation.
“This is antithetical to the spirit of the law that established the commission and the interest of our people that are wallowing in penury.”
It will be recalled that the OSOPADEC Boss was apprehended last week by officials of the Anti-graft agency in Alagbaka area hiding in his neighbour’s house, putting on singlet and boxer.
“Daily Post” gathered that the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko who said he was not aware about the coming of the EFCC to the state was disturbed about the EFCC officials.
It was also gathered that the state governor allegedly offered the team leader of the anti-graft agency N25million bribe in order to stop the arrest of Ajimuda, but rejected by the team leader.
15 of his flashy cars are presently in the custody of Ondo State Police Command in Akure.
Already, Ajimuda has been released on Monday, but three officials from accounting department in the commission have been invited by the EFCC for further interrogation.
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