Coastal Renaissance News
The Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, has celebrated his first year in office by showcasing a series of completed and ongoing developmental projects across the Commission’s mandate areas, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and improved living standards for residents.
Speaking during an extensive inspection tour of projects executed by the Commission, Prince Poroye said the achievements recorded within the last year were driven by the clear directive of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to prioritize grassroots development and ensure that government interventions translate into tangible benefits for the people.
According to the Chairman, one of the first decisions taken by the current Board upon its inauguration on 16th June, 2025, was to focus on completing viable inherited projects rather than abandoning them, a move he described as crucial to maximizing public resources and accelerating development across the oil-producing communities.
The inspection tour highlighted several landmark projects now completed and ready for commissioning. Among them is the 1,000-metre concrete walkway at Obe-Nla, alongside newly completed concrete landing walkways in Obe-Rewoye, Obe-Ogbaro, Obe-Magbe and Obe-Lomore. The projects form part of OSOPADEC’s broader strategy to replace unsafe wooden walkways in riverine communities with durable concrete structures that will enhance safety, accessibility and economic activities.
At Obe-Nla, Prince Poroye described the completed walkway as a symbol of visionary leadership, engineering excellence and effective governance.
“Development becomes inevitable where there is vision, political will and commitment,” he stated, noting that the project demonstrates what can be achieved through purposeful leadership and strategic planning.
He further disclosed plans to designate Obe-Nla as a pilot community for a proposed land reclamation initiative aimed at addressing environmental and infrastructural challenges in riverine settlements.
The OSOPADEC team also inspected the Molutehin Mini Water Scheme, which has attained approximately 75 per cent completion. Prince Poroye revealed that the contractor handling the project had already been mobilised to drill an additional borehole to boost water supply capacity.
He assured residents that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration remains committed to ensuring that potable water becomes accessible to communities across the mandate areas.
Reflecting on his first year in office, Prince Poroye expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded despite challenges, including funding constraints and issues relating to project duplication. He noted that residents of the mandate areas could attest to the Board’s unwavering dedication to service delivery and community development.
While acknowledging that much work still lies ahead, he expressed confidence that greater developmental achievements would be recorded in the coming years.
Prince Poroye commended Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for fostering an atmosphere of peace, stability and progress across the state’s oil-producing communities. He also lauded OSOPADEC engineers, contractors and host communities for their cooperation, commitment and support in ensuring the successful execution of projects.
Also speaking during the inspection, the Permanent Secretary of OSOPADEC, Mr. F.A. Omomowo described the projects as impressive and reflective of the administration’s determination to improve the welfare and quality of life of residents in the mandate areas.
He equally appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for providing the enabling environment that has facilitated the Commission’s developmental strides and urged beneficiaries to safeguard public infrastructure.
Omomowo stressed the importance of community ownership of government projects, noting that protecting and maintaining public facilities would ensure that the benefits endure for future generations.
He finally noted that the inspection tour underscored OSOPADEC’s renewed focus on infrastructure delivery, project completion and sustainable development, as the Commission marks one year under the leadership of Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye with a growing portfolio of impactful interventions across Ondo State’s oil-producing communities.
