Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has inaugurated a 17-man team as the Anambra State Oil And Gas Development Committee.
The inauguration took place at the executive chambers of the Government House in Awka, the state capital.
The committee members include Barrister Uju Ifejika who chairs the committee, Engr. Ikechukwu Okafor as vice chairman while the members of the committee are Barrister Mrs Patricia Igwebike, (Commissioner for Transport)
Mr Paul Nwosu, (Commissioner for Information), Mrs Nkechi Obi, and Professor Kingsley Nwozor.
Other members include; Dr Chris Ofokansi, Chief Tony Okwesa, Engr Jideofor Etele, Barrister Tony Ifeanya, (Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources), Engineer Somtochukwu Okoye, Dr Boniface Emengini, Mr Emmanuel Nwabia, Mr Francis Nwabueze, Mr Jude Ezeamaechi and Engr Julius Chukwuemeka, (Commissioner for Power and Water Resources.)
Governor Soludo while performing the function emphasized the importance of the committee to include overseeing the oil and gas exploitation with the aim to make it beneficial to the people of Anambra State.
He harped on the need to exploit oil and Gas in a manner that will encourage sustainable economic growth and development given the uniqueness of the state.
He noted that their duty also cuts across advisory roles to direct the policy thrust of the government with regard to oil and gas development in the state geared towards mitigating possible damage associated with exploitations.
While thanking the committee members for accepting to serve the state in that capacity, the Governor noted that the opportunity and cost of the exploitation necessitated the committee to help manage the situation in a more professional manner.
The Commissioner of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barrister Tony Ifeanya during the function gave a rundown of things in the oil and gas sector of the state and said that members of the committee were selected to bring value to the oil and gas development in Anambra State.
In her speech, the Chairman of the committee, Barr Mrs Ifejika, thanked the Governor for choosing them, she assured the Governor that they will discharge their duties in line with the mandate and pleaded for the support of the governor to enable them to deliver effectively.
Olusola Akintonde
