Two Commissioners of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) earlier suspended by the state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha have been reinstated.
The two Commissioners, Chief Emmanuel Duru and Chief Gideon Mefor, who have been given a clean bill were reinstated through a letter from the Imo state government.
The letter captioned: Re-lifting of suspension order on Emma Duru and Gideon Mefor, dated 22nd April, 2013, with reference number-SGI/S.0032/S.23/X was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony G. Anwukah.
The letter addressed to the Chairman, ISOPADEC, Owerri reads in part: “Reference to my earlier letter suspending Emma Duru and Gideon Mefor as members of the (ISOPADEC) Commission, please note that by copy of his letter GH/PL/S.662/T/2 of 19th April, 2013, His Excellency has directed that the suspension order be lifted.”
“The suspension order is therefore by copy of this letter lifted. Both persons can now resume duties as members of the ISOPADEC Commission.”
Investigations by our Correspondent however revealed that the affected Commissioners were victims of political maneuverings and may have been set up by opponents.
An impeccable government source, who spoke on the grounds of anonymity informed our Correspondent that “the Commissioners actually committed no offence. They were only set up. They were blackmailed before the governor. After his independent investigations, the governor discovered that they are innocent and ordered their immediate reinstatement. Governor Okorocha does not oppress people. He stands for the truth at all times and is God-fearing.”
Reacting to their reinstatement, President of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta Youth Movement, comrade Martins Atasie described the governor’s latest action as a step in the right direction.
He blamed the Secretary to the State Government, Professor A.G. Anwuka and the Managing Director of ISOPADEC, Henry Okafor for allegedly being behind the suspension, even as he commended governor Okorocha for reinstating the vilified Commissioners.
Atasie however pledged the support of youths of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas to the present Administration in the state, describing it as people-oriented.
It would be recalled that in a letter dated 7th February, 2013, the two Commissioners were suspended from the Commission for undisclosed reasons.
All efforts to reach the affected Commissioners for comments proved abortive.
