Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Hon. Sam Erejuwa has assured that the Commission will sustain its harmonious relations with the Ondo State House of Assembly by providing an enabling environment to perform its oversight functions.

The Chairman gave this assurance while receiving the members of the Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on OSOPADEC during a familiarization visit to the corporate head office of the Commission on Tuesday.

According to Erejuwa, the visit is a family affair and will further foster a better relationship between the Commission and its supervisory committee in the legislative arm of government. He promised that the Commission will in turn consolidate on the achievements of the government of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN by implementing people-oriented programs in the mandate areas.

According to him, “we are partners in progress, I want to assure you (the committee) that a new dawn and a new era has come to stay. Very soon, you will see the activities of the Commission in the mandate areas. We have highly qualified personnel, but lacked the resources to implement our projects. We therefore believe today’s visit will solve many of our problems”.

Erejuwa stressed further that the Commission will consolidate on the mutual alliance with the Assembly through the ad-hoc Committee. He implored the Assembly to give the Commission’s budget before it a speedy passage. This he said will enable the agency to fast-track its projects in the mandate areas and initiate new ones.

He highlighted some of the Commission’s challenges to include the completion of office renovations, shortage of functional vehicles, training of staff, completion of abandoned projects and the overall development of the mandate areas.

While reacting on behalf of his team, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon (Prince) Abayomi Akinruntan congratulated the Chairman and the Board on their appointments; wishing them a successful tenure. He equally commended the Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Victor Koledoye for holding forth before the appointment of the new Board.

Hon. Akinruntan emphasized the need for a robust relationship between the Commission, the Committee on OSOPADEC and the State House of Assembly. He expressed hope that once the economy of the state improves, the Commission would be able to access more fund to perform its functions.

The Committee Chairman affirmed that the Commissions budget has been received by the Assembly and that key management members will be invited for budget defence in due time. He however charged the leadership of the Commission to improve on its budget performance to justify receipt.

In his closing remark, the Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Victor Koledoye appreciated the visitors. He commended the Committee for the good relationship and support the Commission had always enjoyed. Koledoye was optimistic that the mutual interface with the Committee will continue to blossom.

Other members of the Committee include Hon. Success Torhekerhijo, Hon. Faleye Abiodun, Hon. Olugbenga Omole, Hon. Ololade Gbegudu and Hon. Festus Adefiranoye. While core management staff of the commission were on ground to receive the visitors.