By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

The Ondo State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has completed a six-week training course for selected officers of the ministry on drone maintenance and piloting, aimed at enhancing the rapid transformation of urban planning and development in the state.

Delivering his keynote address at the presentation of certificates to the newly trained drone pilots at the ministry’s headquarters in Akure, the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbenga Olaniyi, noted that the integration of drone technology into the ministry’s operations is pivotal to enhancing the capabilities and efficiency of the officers, enabling them to deliver globally acceptable standards and high-quality service to the people of the state.

The Commissioner explained that the decision to invest in drone pilot training for the officers was made to embrace cutting-edge solutions that would enable better management and monitoring of urban environments for residents, prospective builders, and the overall development of the state.

He added that drone technology offers opportunities for accurate data collection, efficient project monitoring, and enhances the decision-making process.

He emphasised that the technology would also achieve cost savings, improve safety, and foster more effective and sustainable urban planning and development. He, therefore, urged the pilots to apply the knowledge and skills gained to make a tangible impact on the actualisation of the initiatives and urban renewal agenda of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration.

In his remarks, the State Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip, who was the guest of honour at the ceremony, commended the management team of the ministry for their initiative to digitalise operations in line with global best practices, without imposing any financial burden on the state government, with the aim of delivering quality service to the people of the state.

Mr Philip, a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, while presenting certificates to the trained officers, enjoined all staff to be more dedicated to duty as a major revenue-generating agency of the government. He noted that modern-day planning, renewal, and development of towns and cities in any state depend on the efficiency of human resources and the digitalisation of materials available in its Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

He, therefore, assured them that his office and the current administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa would continue to support every initiative geared towards improving the capabilities of government workers for higher productivity.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Chief Bunmi Alade, commended the officers and staff for their commitment, which, he said, has greatly improved the ministry’s revenue generation from between 12 and 13 million naira per month to 43 million naira per month.

Chief Alade, who highlighted some significant benefits of drone technology in the ministry’s operations, including efficiency in data collection, improved accuracy in data processing, cost savings compared to traditional methods, and enhanced safety in hazardous areas, solicited continued support from the state government to achieve greater heights in its activities.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Pastor Joseph Ayo Babalola, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mr Femi Aladenola, and the Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Professor Ayo Olajuyigbe, commended the ministry’s investment in training drone pilots. They encouraged the pilots to translate the skills acquired during the training into better planning and development of towns and cities in the state.

Other top government officials present at the ceremony included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr Ogunmola; the Department of Service Matters, Mr Femi Ayodele; and the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Engr. Akin Omotola, among others.