By Anayo Okoli

Umuahia—ABIA State Government has said  it would soon sign into law the bill passed by the State House of Assembly for the establishment of an oil producing areas development commission (ASOPADEC).
Governor Theodore Orji gave the promise in Umuahia yesterday, when he received a delegation of host communities producing oil and gas who paid him a courtesy visit.

Governor Orji confirmed that the bill had been passed by the State House of Assembly, and promised that he would sign it as soon as the member representing Ukwa West Local Government Area in the House of Assembly who traveled outside the state was back.

According to him, once the bill comes into effect, people from the oil producing areas will serve as members of the commission.

The Governor also assured that the state government will continue to partner with the host communities.

Orji, however, appealed to the host communities to assist Abia State to get the arrears of the revenue from the 47 recovered oil wells, and commended the association for facilitating the return of the oil wells to the state.