His Excellency,
Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN),
Executive Governor of Ondo State,
Alagbaka, Akure,
Ondo State.
PROTEST LETTER ON THE CONTINUOUS MEDDLESOMENESS OF THE ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT IN THE 40% REVENUE LEGALLY ALLOCATED TO OSOPADEC FROM THE 13% OIL DERIVATION IN ONDO STATE: A CALL FOR OSOPADEC’S AUTONOMY.
Your Excellency Sir, we have observed with dismay the State Government’s total disregard for what the law provides in respect of managing the 13% oil derivation fund that accrues to Ondo State from the federation account.
If you recall, in 2001, The ONDO STATE OIL PRODUCING AREA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (OSOPADEC) was set up in the wisdom of our forebearers, through a legislative act of Ondo State House of Assembly, to judiciously manage 40% of the 13% oil derivative on behalf of the mandate communities.
However, It is most appalling to note that the state government has persistently disallow OSOPADEC from independently managing the 40% of 13% duly apportioned for the development and welfare of the mandate communities. Which is a germane purpose for which OSOPADEC was created in the first place.
It is unfortunate that this meddlesomeness of OSOPADEC’s 40% has left tales of sorrow, tears and blood in the neglected mandate communities.
Today, OSOPADEC is unable to intervene in the ravaging ocean attacks on oil bearing communities of Ayetoro, Mese, Gbagira, ABEREKE etc as a result of their reliance on directives from your office.
We have repeatedly clamoured for the construction of sea embarkment, which is by no means a rocket science.
Delta State counterpart of OSOPADEC, DESOPADEC, did it for even an inaccessible Ogulagha town that is even an Island inside the sea. We wonder why our own commission has always looked the other way, when the corporate existence of the mandate communities is being threatened.
It beats our imagination that Ondo State Government feigns helplessness, as it folds her hands and watch this preventable sea incursion swallows up our ancient towns.
We are hereby serving a 21-day notice to Ondo State government, to hands off OSOPADEC’s fund by granting her a total autonomy in which 40% of the total 13% derivation fund is domiciled exclusively in an OSOPADEC dedicated account, for the purpose of rescuing our land from extinction, amongst other developmental initiatives.
Expiration of this notice shall culminate in a peaceful and organic protest by the entire ILAJE descent across Ondo state and beyond to legitimately demand a dedicated OSOPADEC’S account where 40% of the 13% derivation fund will be domiciled and exclusively administered by OSOPADEC for the mandate communities.
Thanks for your usual cooperation.
Akinjole Rimson
Ilaje Advancement Forum.
