The leadership of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has assured that its activities and projects in the mandate areas will continue to align with the REDEEMED Agenda of the Akeredolu led administration.

This was jointly disclosed by the Commission’s Chairman, Sam Erejuwa and the Secretary, Dr. Victor Koledoye on Tuesday 27th September during an official visit to the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters by the Director-General, Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU), Engr. Babajide Akeredolu and the representative of the African Development Bank (AFDB), Mr. Thierno Diouf.

Disclosing the purpose of the visit, Engr. Babajide said Thierno Diouf, a representative of the AFDB and consultant from Senegal is in Ondo State for an assessment of how projects are being prioritized and also see how they can be improved upon for the benefit of the people.

Earlier in his welcome address, OSOPADEC Chairman, Sam Erejuwa appreciated the State Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN for his concern for the people of the mandate areas. He equally commended the DG, PPIMU whom he called his brother and a critical stakeholder in the Niger Delta region, on his immense contributions to the development of the State.

Erejuwa lamented the precarious situation and environmental degradation in the mandate areas. This he said is of great concern to the Commission. According to him: “The Motto of OSOPADEC is ‘total prosperity and environmental sustainability’. However, sustaining the hostile environment of the mandate areas is a great task which requires huge financial resources”.

Erejuwa assured that the Commission will continue to represent the State Government well by initiating developmental projects that can reduce the hardship of the people, and will also keep the State Government abreast of prevailing situations.

In his presentation, the Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Victor Koledoye intimated the visitors of the vision, mission and core values of the Commission. He said these are centered around transforming lives and bringing sustainable development to the oil producing areas of the State.

Koledoye emphasized that the intervention programmes and projects of the Commission are in tandem with the REDEEMED Agenda of the Akeredolu administration.

The Secretary further reeled out some of the key areas of intervention of the Commission in the Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas of the State. They include: Massive Infrastructure, Educational Advancement and Human Capital Development, Effective Healthcare and Social Welfare, Maintenance of Law and Order, Energy, Mining and Sustainable Industries.

According to Dr. Koledoye, some of the Commission’s ongoing programmes and projects in the Niger Delta region of the State include: Support for the Aged, Women Summit, Youth Entrepreneurship Training, OSOPADEC Football Club, Pipeline Surveillance Program, Construction of General Hospital Agadagba-oObon, Ese-odo Local Government.

Others are; Construction of 1km Township Road in Igbotu, Construction of 28.5Km Aboto-Atijere Road, Rehabilitation and Asphalt Overlay of Akintubuwa – Alape Junction to Araromi, Construction of Okitipupa -Ayeka – Irele Road including Bridge over River Oluwa, Renovation of 12 Schools across the mandate areas. He informed that the construction of School of Maritime Transport and Logistics at Ugbonla; a satellite campus of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) is expected to take off soon.

The Commission according to him is equally proposing the construction of 100 number of Public Toilets across schools, Construction of Concrete Jetties and Walkways and Provision of Renewable Energy with Mini-Grid across the mandate areas.

Koledoye assured that the Commission will continue to utilize the available resources effectively and efficiently. He however appealed for more funds from the State Government and aid from Developmental Partners to enable the Agency make more impact saying “so much done, so much spent, yet there are still huge gaps”.

Reacting, Mr. Thierno Diouf commended the Commission for justifying the purpose of its establishment. He expressed confidence in the capacity of the Commission to achieve more, promising that his organization will ensure all round support within its mandate.

Responding to reactions by the visitors, Dr. Koledoye informed that the processes of advertising, bidding and award of projects are done meticulously. He said the Commission works in partnership with Government Agencies and Departments including; the Bureau for Public Procurement, Ministries of Finance, Budget and Works.

The Project Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the Commission and external consultants also ensures diligent monitoring, vetting and evaluation of the project. Upon completion, the projects are verified and certified by the relevant Government Agencies.

The Secretary assured that the Commission will continue to strategically plan and execute its projects within the available resources, even as the Commission will continue to solicit for more funds and technical assistance for better service delivery.