• Says he mismanaged over 14 billion naira OSOPADEC Fund 

A group, African Youth Patriotic and Development Mission (AYPDM), Ilaje/Ese-Odo chapter, has written Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, demanding for the sack of Mr Gbenga Edema, the chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission(OSOPADEC) over alleged mismanagement of over 14 billion Naira.

In a letter signed by Babatunde Iwalokun (Esq) Busola Bolodeoku (Esq) and Ojoayo Ogungbure, which was addressed to Akeredolu with a copy made available to Starnews, the group said the OSOPADEC chairman mismanaged over 14 billion Naira 13% oil derivation fund accruable to the commission’s account from the federal government through the state between April 10, 2017 till date which Mr. Edema assumed office as chairman of the commission.

Part of the statement reads:

“We the members of the NGO named, African Youth Patriotic and Development Mission (AYPDM), Ilaje/Ese-Odo chapter writes to demand for the immediate sack of the chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development commission (OSOPADEC), Hon. Gbenga Edema over the mismanagement of over 14 billion naira i.e. 40% of the 13% derivation fund.”

“It is a well- known fact that Hon. Gbenga Edema who assumed office on the 10th of April 2017 has so far received over 14 billion naira of the 13% oil derivation fund  from the federation coffer through Ondo state government.”

“Absolutely there is nothing to show for it in the mandate areas rather Mr. Edema keep shifting blames in private on Your Excellency on the failure of OSOPADEC to address the challenges facing Ilaje and Ese Odo Local government areas.”

“It is surprising, that OSOPADEC which was established by the law of Ondo state house of Assembly CAP 106 in 2001 to alleviate the sufferings of the people of the mandate areas, as a result of oil spillage, environmental degradation and oil pollution, erosion and flood which are the resultant effect of oil exploration has become a business venture under the leadership of Mr. Gbenga Edema to enrich himself and his immediate families.”

“There is a saying that Silence in the face of evil, is itself evil. Therefore, we refuse to be silent on the lackadaisical, incompetence, unaccountable, non-transparency, nonperforming and non-challatant attitude of Mr. Gbenga Edema. It is on public domain that Mr. Gbenga Edema has become an agent of accelerated sufferings on the good and peaceful people of Ilaje and Ese-Odo local governments who are the direct victims of oil exploration.”

The group gave 30 days to the governor to effect the sack of Mr. Edema as chairman of OSOPADEC, failure of which, they threaten to occupy the governor’s office in Akure.

“We are calling on Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to sack Mr. Edema within 30 days for he has performed poorly but keep using lack of “OSOPADEC Autonomy” as the reason for his poor performance.”

“Thus, we shall not hesitate in our capacity as true indigenes of the mandate areas to occupy the street including the premises of the governor’s office, if the sack of Mr. Edema is not effected”

“We will not also hesitate to drag Mr. Edema to the anti-graft agencies,” the statement added.

When he was contacted on phone for his reaction, Mr. Edema said: “Since the letter was addressed to Mr. Governor, don’t you think it would make sense to allow Mr. Governor to act on their letter?”