Olabiyi Poroye, Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC)
Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Olabiyi Poroye, on Tuesday said the commission has developed strategic plans for shoreline protection and reclamation in Ayetoro and other vulnerable coastal communities in the state.
Poroy, who disclosed this in Akure during a media briefing on the six-month scorecard of the 10th board, said Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, has, however, approved the construction of a shoreline protection and reclamation project at Obe-Nla as a pilot initiative to test and refine the technology before wider deployment.
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According to him, various interventions of the Commission were vital for the protection of lives, property and livelihoods in the riverine areas.
Poroy, who stressed that residents are suffering from the devastating effects of climate change, marine intrusion and coastal erosion, announced that the board has delivered major infrastructure and social projects within this period.
He said those initiatives were aimed at improving living conditions in oil-producing areas.
His words: “The General Hospital at Agadagba-Obon in Ese-Odo has been completed, bringing health services closer to the people living along the river banks. In the education sector, the Commission renovated 21 public primary and secondary schools in Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas, of which 13 have already been completed and others are ongoing.”
Poroy said the 2023/2024 OSOPADEC scholarships and bursaries have been fully paid to eligible students from oil producing communities.
He disclosed that the state governor has also approved the completion of three OSOPADEC student hostels at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Oktipupa; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.
The OSOPADEC boss further said that the 28.5km Aboto-Atijere Road was 33 per cent completed, while the 4.72km Ugbo-Nala-Erunna Road – also known as Igbokoda-Etoro Road Phase III – was under processing.
Poroy also noted that the rural electrification of Ilumeje-Etijere covering Igboegunarin, Gbolomi and Igbobi was getting approval at the Ondo State Bureau of Public Procurement.
He said five units of 500 KVA and 300 KVA transformers had already been installed at Aboto and strategic locations in Igbokoda.
He added: “The construction of the 1,000 meter concrete walkway at Obe-Nla is 85 per cent complete, while the School of Maritime Transport and Logistics at Ugbo-Nla is also 85 per cent complete. This represents a major investment in skills development and the blue economy.
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“The Board conducted extensive project visits to OSOPADEC mandate areas to ensure accountability and proper oversight. Contractors handling various projects including Omuro International Market in Ugbo-Nla were mobilized and paid.
“We have provided 18 concrete landing walkways in Ilaje and Ase-Odo, prepared an infrastructure development report for two local government areas, and awarded contracts for naval and police security checkpoints along with concrete wharves, water schemes, market infrastructure and supply of chairs and tables in schools.”
