Anniversary: OSOPADEC spends over N4b on completion of inherited projects

An intervention agency, the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has spent over N4 billion to revive and complete inherited and abandoned infrastructure projects across the state’s oil-producing communities.

This milestone was announced on June 18, 2026, by the OSOPADEC Board Chairman, Prince Olabiyi Poroye, during his one-year anniversary in office.

The disclosure took place at the official flag-off ceremony for the 1-kilometre Sabomi Township Road project in the Ilaje Local Government Area, which is valued at ₦1.4 billion.

Poroye said the commission adopted a policy of completing inherited and abandoned projects before starting new ones, stressing that continuity is critical to sustainable development in the mandate areas.

According to him “exactly one year ago, we accepted the responsibility of leading OSOPADEC with a promise that resources entrusted to us would be translated into visible projects, improved livelihoods and renewed hope for our people.

“Today, we can confidently say we have kept faith with that promise,” he said.

The chairman explained that the Sabomi Township Road, awarded at N1.4 billion, will improve access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities and economic opportunities for residents of the riverine community.

Poroye listed projects completed in the last one year and ready for the governor’s commissioning.

They include the General Hospital at Agadagba-Obon, the 1-kilometre Igbotu Township Road, the 1,000-metre concrete walkway with jetty at Obenla, and concrete landing walkways at Oberewoye, Obe Ogbaro, Obe Magbe and Obe Lomore.

He added that the commission had also flagged off construction of a Naval Security Post with walkways at Atijere.

Ongoing projects include the Aboto-Atijere Road, Omuro International Market in Ode-Ugbo, the School of Maritime Transport and Logistics in Ugbo-Nla, and a concrete sedimentation tank at the Aboto Water Treatment Plant.

The commission’s Director of Project Monitoring, Aluko Dipo, gave details of OSOPADEC’s financial commitments.

Dipo said completed projects accounted for over N4 billion in budget execution.

According to him, “We are talking about billions of naira. The concrete landing walkways average between N45 million and N50 million each and we have completed four of them.

“The Obenla concrete walkway alone cost N1.7 billion and has been completed.”

The Permanent Secretary of the commission, Adewale Omomowo commended the board for replacing unsafe wooden walkways with durable concrete structures fitted with solar-powered streetlights.

Omomowo said that “This concrete walkway is very impressive. Unlike in the past when we used planks, this is much more enjoyable.

“With the solar lights and the one-kilometre walkway, it shows that Mr. Governor is truly interested in the welfare of his people.”

While lauding the commission’s emphasis on continuity, he said that “One thing that impressed me was the resolve to complete projects already on the ground before starting new ones. That is the kind of continuity every government should embrace.”

At the Aboto Water Treatment Plant, Engineer Ibrahim Dashin said the commission was constructing a concrete sedimentation tank to replace an ageing steel facility affected by corrosion.

Dashin said the project would improve water quality and expand access to potable water in several communities.

“The treatment plant currently serves almost six communities.

“We have not yet fully utilised the plant’s two-million-gallon capacity, and once more communities are connected, more people will benefit,” he said.

Speaking, the traditional ruler of Sabomi Kingdom, Oba Felix Adeyemi Koledoye, described the road project as a long-awaited intervention.

Koledoye said, “For years, this road lay in ruins, cutting Sabomi and other Apoi communities off from urban centres.