The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and the Federal Government have opened discussions on possible federal intervention to tackle sea incursion, strengthen shoreline protection and complete abandoned projects across the oil-producing areas of Ondo State.
The move followed a meeting between the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, and a delegation led by OSOPADEC Chairman, Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting focused on the environmental challenges, infrastructure deficits and development needs of communities within OSOPADEC’s mandate areas.
Speaking during the meeting, Poroye called for Federal Government support to address the persistent threat of sea incursion, intensify shoreline protection efforts and promote sustainable development in the riverine communities.
The OSOPADEC Chairman also drew attention to several abandoned federal projects in the areas, stressing that their completion was critical to bridging infrastructure gaps and improving the living conditions of residents.
He noted that some of the projects had been awarded several years ago but remained uncompleted, depriving host communities of the benefits for which they were conceived.
Poroye urged the Federal Government to consider urgent intervention to facilitate their completion and ensure that the affected communities derive the intended benefits.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mohammad Sanusi, who represented the Minister of Finance, assured the delegation of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with OSOPADEC in exploring possible areas of federal intervention.
Sanusi acknowledged the concerns raised by the Commission and emphasised the need for sustained engagement with relevant Federal Government institutions to develop practical solutions to the environmental and infrastructural challenges confronting oil-producing areas in Ondo State.
He explained that effective coordination among the relevant agencies would be crucial to advancing the proposed interventions, particularly projects requiring substantial funding and technical expertise.
The Permanent Secretary encouraged OSOPADEC to sustain its engagement with the Ministry to facilitate further consideration of the issues raised and identify viable pathways for addressing them.
The delegation included Sir Benson Obayelu, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ugbo-Land Host Communities Development Trust; OSOPADEC’s Executive Director, Finance, Mallam Mallon Ogbaro; Executive Director, Projects, Dr Olujimi Kufo; Wole Akintemehin; Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi; Engr. Akin Omotola; the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Environment; and OSOPADEC's Secretary, F.A. Omomowo, among others.
Tags
News