A group, the Ilaje Development Summit Group (IDSG) met on Tuesday with the Chairman and Senior Management team of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) at the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters, Oba-Ile, Akure.

The delegation led by the Chairman of IDSG Stakeholders Engagement Committee, Primate Afolabi Aboyewa demonstrated high level support for the newly appointed Chairman, Otunba Sam Erejuwa and declared the group’s readiness to support his administration’s policies and programmes for the development of the mandate areas. Intimating the Commission of the goal of the group as a body, Aboyewa said the development of Ilaje land and Ilaje people through participatory partnership of the coalition of all groups association and individual is a task that must be accomplished.

Primate Aboyewa in his words said, “The overall strategy of the group is to achieve her goal of a robust, even and impactful development for Ilaje land and Ilaje people, as IDSG have successfully carried out the strategies of collating all available previous administrations achievements and recommending new and tested ideas for the development of Ilaje land. This he said will be achieved through relevant strategic committees, with the aim of harmonizing the old and new recommendations for Ilaje development. The Committee will present the harmonized ideas to the various stakeholders for scrutiny and approval as the blueprint and roadmap for galvanizing Ilaje into conceiving and designing practical and pragmatic ways through which Ilaje will perpetually enforce adherence to the implementation of the Ilaje development blueprint.

Aboyewa described as embarrassing and disheartening the state of public primary schools in Ilaje; ranging from poor staffing, dilapidated classrooms and uninhabitable teachers and head teachers staff quarters. He however applauded the Governor of the state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, for trying his best for the mandate areas and believe the Governor can do better by allowing OSOPADEC perform to the expectation of the people. Aboyewa solicited for the intervention of OSOPADEC in taking proactive step in improving the lives of the people in the mandate areas.

In his reaction, OSOPADEC Chairman, Otunba Sam Erejuwa commended the group for the visit saying the visit is valued toward sustainable development in Ilaje land. He stated that OSOPADEC has a clear vision for the development of the mandate areas. The Chairman hinted that there are currently 14 schools in Ese-Odo Local Government Area which are currently going through renovation and this project will soon be delivered for the use of the people.

Erejuwa noted that the Governor deserves some pass mark for Aboto water project which delivers 2 million gallon of water on daily basis. He thanked the group for making their vision loud and their mission clear.

The Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Victor Koledoye in his remark, appreciated the group for the courtesy visit, saying it is heartwarming to see groups and organization very technical and professional in promoting the development of the mandate areas.

Koledoye stated that the group is a perfect group that the Commission can work with as they are like-minded in improving the lives of the people in the mandate areas and also geared towards sustainable development.

The group, Ilaje Development Summit Group comprised of Primate Afolabi Aboyewa (Chm., IDSG, Stakeholders Engagement Committee), Mr Logo Clement, Hon. (Mrs) Erelu Toyin Agbeni-Ogungbure, Mr. Kolade Oyinbo, Mrs Linda Oyinbo and Prince Bolu Ajijo