The Executive Director Project, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Charles Ogunmola has led a delegation team to flag off the distribution of Palliatives to the victims of Aiyetoro’s sea incursion in Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo State.
This was done to bring a lasting solution to the ocean surge in Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo State.
The delegation team which was led by the NDDC Executive Director Project, Mr. Charles Ogunmola included; Mr. Gordon Okeya, NDDC Director, Community and Rural Development, Port Harcourt; Engr. Onuoha Obeka, NDDC Director, Environmental Protection and Control, Port Harcourt;
Others included, Barr. Salami Olaniyi Okogie, Director, Ondo State Office; Hon. Fayowole Aworetan, SA to the EDP, amongst others.
Newsline NG learnt that the palliatives were jointly donated by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Rural Africa Health Initiative (RAHI)
Speaking with Newsline NG, The NDDC Director, Mr Charles Ogunmola said the purpose of the visit is to flag off the distribution of Palliatives donated to Aiyetoro victims and also to inspect devastation effect of sea incursion on Aiyetoro community for proper attention by the NDDC
“This is the first package, more are still coming, In this administration of ours, we will put an end to sea incursion in Ilaje and Aiyetoro in particular”. Ogunmola said
The flag off ceremony which was held yesterday Wednesday 26th April, 2023 at Officer Mess, Naval Base, Igbokoda, Ilaje LG, was graced by His Imperial Majesty Oba Oluwasegun Akinyomi, the Amapetu of Mahin Land, HRH Oba Kolawole Ikuesan, the Olubo of Obenla Kingdom, HRH Oba Oluwafemi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbaro Dynasty.
Others included , Representative of the Ondo State Government, Mr. Olufemi Obideyi, Secretary, Ondo State Emergency Management Agency; Arch Bishop Erenbo Eretan, representative of Ogeloyinbo of Aiyetoro; Hon. Dickson Obele, Vice Chairman, Ilaje Local Government among others.
Newsline NG gathered that The EDP and his team were received by the Ondo State NDDC top management Staff and other socio-cultural groups – Niger Delta Youth Leaders’ Council led by Comrade Seyi Ojowuro, Multi Crocodile Squad led by Chief Idowu Asonja Niger Delta Youth Movement led by Comrade Akin Omojuwa
In his opening remark, Okogie, NDDC Director, Ondo State, Barr. Salami Olaniyi appreciated the top Board Members and management of the NDDC, traditional rulers and other invited guests for making the project a success.
He said, "the visitation of the EDP and his team is to solidarise with Aiyetoro people and also to meet the immediate needs of the victims.
In his reaction, The Executive Director Project, NDDC, Mr. Charles Ogunmola stated that the present NDDC Board is ready to bring best technology to Ilaje and proffer lasting solution to Aiyetoro ocean surge.
.“Today is my birthday and in a solidarity to Aiyetoro people, I have decided to celebrate my birthday here in Ilaje. My family tried all they could to prevent me from traveling but I said no, I must get to Aiyetoro and see the situation of things”.
“I have vowed to start development from Ondo South (Ilaje in particular) to Ondo North”.
He specially thanked all the traditional rulers present and others invited guests.
Also, Apostle J.I. Ajijo who spoke on behalf of Aiyetoro community, said that there was no proper study or research on how best NDDC and Federal Government can handle Aiyetoro ocean surge and urged the NDDC to use modern technology to proffer permanent solution to the sea incursion.
Other stakeholders who spoke at the occasion thanked the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN CON for his transformation agenda in Ondo State and also acknowledged the efforts of the State government in donating relief materials for Aiyetoro people overtimes
They unanimously appealed to NDDC and Federal Government to act more on permanent solution to the ocean surge rather than sharing palliatives at all times, stressing that palliatives have been shared times without numbers including the state government,
“this time around, we need permanent solution more than the relief materials”. They said
In the same vein, HRH Oba Femi Ogbaro noted that Aiyetoro community was not the only community affected by ocean surge in Ilaje.
He noted that, Awoye, Mese, Gbagira and other communities were also affected.
He urged the NDDC to always include fishing materials/equipment in their palliatives in order to meet the needs of the people and consequently ameliorate the suffering of the people, stressing that the people need fishing materials such as ‘fishing nets’ and so on, more than the relief materials”.
In his words, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Oluwasegun Akinyomi, the Amapetu of Mahin Land, said the visitation of the EDP to Ilaje was unique in nature to have decided to celebrate his birthday in Ilaje land in solidarity to Aiyetoro people.
He appealed to the NDDC to always ensure that NDDC projects are awarded to competent contractors for proper and prompt execution.
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