“This N33.8bn budget for OSOPADEC in the 2025 fiscal year, will also strengthen youth and women empowerment schemes, scholarship programmes and skill acquisition centres, in line with our administration’s development blueprint”
By John Odunayo
Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday, inaugurated the newly constituted Board of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), with a strong charge to the members to deliver impactful development to oil-bearing communities in the state.
The governor charged the board chaired by Prince Biyi Poroye to strive to meet the high expectations placed upon them by the people and the need to serve with integrity, diligence and selflessness.
Aiyedatiwa also on the occasion announced the approval of a historic N33.8 billion budget for OSOPADEC in the 2025 fiscal year — the highest allocation ever for the Commission.
He said that the fund would address critical infrastructure gaps and socio-economic challenges confronting the mandate areas – Ilawe and Ese Odo Local Government areas.
The governor said, “This budget will fund vital projects in roads, schools, water supply, health centres and housing. It will also strengthen youth and women empowerment schemes, scholarship programmes and skill acquisition centres, in line with our administration’s development blueprint”.
The governor also called on traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, civil society organizations and development partners to rally behind the new Board in the shared mission of developing the oil-bearing communities.
He said, “This is a bold statement that OSOPADEC will not only function under this administration but will also flourish. It must deliver transformation that speaks loudly and visibly in the lives of the people,”
“Let us, in togetherness, build a legacy of prosperity, peace and progress for Ilaje and Ese-Odo. Let this be the beginning of a new dawn one where government works truly for the people”, he added.
Responding on behalf of other board members, the new Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Biyi Poroye, expressed gratitude to Governor Aiyedatiwa for the confidence reposed in them and for the opportunity to serve.
Poroye assured the governor that the Board is fully prepared and committed to carrying out its responsibilities with dedication and diligence.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola; Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa.
They also included the Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip members of the State Executive Council; lawmakers; Director General of the Ondo State Media Group, Mr Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson; local government chairmen; traditional rulers; permanent secretaries; political appointees; and other top government officials.
