Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (OSOPADEC) Otunba Sam Erejuwa has again assured that all abandoned projects of the Commission in the mandate areas will be completed, commissioned and delivered for public use before the end of the current administration.

Erejuwa disclosed this at the palace of the King of Zion, Dr. Henry Mobolorunduro Ogunfeyimi, (JP), Atarioye Ajigbade Lene II, on Friday 16th July, when he led the Board and Management of the Commission on a facility tour and projects assessment in the Ugbo axis of Ilaje local government Area of Ondo State.

According to Sam Erejuwa, the Ugbo axis is the treasure base of Ondo state, which qualifies it as an oil producing state in Nigeria. He expressed deep concern over abandoned projects which is not only a waste of resources, but has greatly contributed to the poorly developed state of communities and the deplorable condition of the people.

In his words: ”our coming to Ugbonla today is for a serious business. Mr. Governor extends his greetings and gave us the permission to come. Just like the biblical Nehemiah, I saw the deplorable condition of my area and I am sad. We passed through the Omuro International Market (Awarded in 2008), the Ugbonla – Eru-ona – Ayetoro Road (Awarded in 2008) and the Skill Acquisition Centre, Ugbonla also (Awarded in 2008), but all abandoned.

“This axis (Ilaje-Ugbo-Ugbonla) qualifies Ondo State as a part of Niger-Delta in Nigeria. This is where the effect of the oil is felt. It is therefore not good enough for all the projects in this area to be abandoned. I will not sit in the comfort of my office in Oba-Ile, Akure, blow siren and neglect my people in this pathetic condition.

“Today, I can assure you that the Sun will shine again in Ugbonla, the Sun will shine again in Ilaje and Ese-Odo, the sun will shine again in Ondo State. The Ugbonla- Ayetoro Road, Omuro International Market, General Hospital in Agadagba Obon and all other abandoned projects will be completed, and they will be commissioned for the benefit of humanity before the end of this administration”.

Erejuwa appealed for the continual support and prayers of the Spiritual Leader for the government of the state and the Commission. He said: “my appointment as the Chairman of OSOPADEC is a privilege which I will not take for granted. The assignment before me is enormous and this will not be the last visit”

Expatiating on the partnership of his institutions and the Commission, the Vice Chancellor, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Prof. Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa disclosed that arrangements are in advanced stage toward creating the Faculty of Maritime Transport and Logistics with its satellite campus in Ugbonla, Ilaje LGA.

According to him, “my vision upon my assumption as the Vice Chancellor of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa was to key into the new economy of the world which is the “blue economy”, it has to do with the economy of the marine environment as the University is located in a Coastal environment.

According to the Vice Chancellor, the Faculty of Maritime Transport and Logistics will drive the marine economy as it will offer Degrees in Shipping, Port Management, Maritime Security, Maritime Economy and Finance. Prof. Ologunorisa further disclosed that the institution has signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Caribbean Maritime University in Jamaica with an arrangement for students to complete the final year of their four year programme in the Caribbean.

In his remarks, the Spiritual Leader and Supreme Head of C&S Church of Zion Ugbonla, Dr. Henry Mobolorunduro Ogunfeyimi (JP), Atarioye Ajigbade Lene II, appreciated the Governor of the state Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, for his good thoughts and vision for the community and the entire coastal areas of the state. This he said is evident in the proposed establishment and citing of the Faculty of Maritime Transport and Logistics in the area. He equally commended Otunba Sam Erejuwa, the Board and management of OSOPADEC for the lofty developmental projects across Ilaje and Ese-Odo LGAs.

Dr. Ogunfeyimi however appealed to the concerned authorities to expedite actions so that the proposed Faculty will commence academic activities in earnest. He assured that the community will make provision for adequate security and hostel facilities for the students when the project is completed.

The Chairman and his team later visited the Construction of Raw Water Intake 2MGD and Treatment Plant at Aboto. Otunba Sam Erejuwa expressed his delight over the functional equipment and assured that the Commission will not relent in its efforts to make portable water available to the people in the locality.

Ibrahim Dashin, Project Manager, PDG Menorah Nig. Limited in charge of the water project equally affirmed that his organization will continue to do its best to surmount its challenges and achieve its mandate.

The itinerary culminated at the Area Office of the Commission in Igbokoda, where Otunba Erejuwa assured the staff that official activities will soon commence in the office. This he said will bring the Commission closer to the people who will be relieved of the risk and stress of traveling to the head office in Oba-Ile, Akure to communicate their feelings and present their demands.

In the team were OSOPADEC Board Members; Hon. Agabra Ikoto Atili, Hon. Raphael Adegboye, Engr. Steve Fadaini, Hon. Olafusi Akintoroye, Secretary to the Board of the Commission Dr. Victor Koledoye.

Others are, Ap. ‘Sola Orisamoluwa (Director, Human Resources and Business Development), Engr. O. S. Ogunsemore (Director, Project Planning & Development), Engr. Allen Eregha (Director, Project Monitoring & Evaluation), Alh. Tajudeen Jalaade (Director, Youth/Women Development & Poverty Alleviation), Mr. Vincent Ikuomola (Director, Accounts), Mr. Wale Mafolabomi (Director, Community Welfare), Mr. Frank Menukuro (Director, Budget, Planning, Research & Statistics) and some Technical officers of the Commission.