The Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) has formally disassociated itself from a viral sex scandal involving a retired Director of Finance and two of his former staff members.
In a statement signed by the Commission’s Head of Media/PRO, Iyke Onuegbu made available to ABN TV, ASOPADEC said it does not condone any form of immoral conduct and cannot be held responsible for the alleged private affairs of employees outside official duties.
The Commission clarified that the incidents reportedly occurred in the past and involved individuals who are no longer in its service, stressing that the former director at the centre of the allegations had long retired.
While noting that steps are being taken to conduct an internal investigation in line with public service rules, the Commission assured that appropriate disciplinary measures would be applied to any current staff found culpable.
“At the inception of the new administration, frantic efforts were made to clean the mess of the past, and the Commission is now being run with zero tolerance for misconduct or acts inimical to its operations,” the statement read.
ASOPADEC further appealed to the public and media practitioners to consider the context and timing of the reports, and to ensure that the Commission’s current reputation and work are not unfairly tainted by events predating the present management.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to integrity, professionalism, and delivering on its mandate to oil-producing communities in Abia State.
