Victor Akinkuolie,Okitipupa

The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) at the weekend presented its proposed N33.8 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

The event, held at the Ilaje Local Government Secretariat in Igbokoda, was attended by traditional rulers, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders in the local government.

Speaking during the budget presentation, the Secretary of the Commission, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for promoting fiscal discipline within the commission.

She reiterated the commission’s commitment to implementing sound policies with transparency, accountability, prudence, and effective financial management.

She also lauded the unwavering support of traditional rulers in the area, noting that their influence is crucial to ensuring effective project execution and maintaining peace across oil-producing communities.

Bayo-Ilawole reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to a bottom-up approach, ensuring that community input drives development planning.

She outlined the Commission’s renewed commitment to inclusive development, economic empowerment, and sustainable infrastructural growth in Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas.

Describing the budget as “a vision of shared prosperity,” she noted that it aligns with the development agenda of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration.

Speaking further on the budget, Bayo-Ilawole explained that the Commission implemented significant projects with its N16.5 billion 2024 budget, despite prevailing economic challenges.

She used the occasion to highlight some key achievements of the commission, including the completion of the 32.725km Alape Junction–Araromi Seaside Road, which has improved access and connectivity. Other accomplishments include the construction of township roads in Igbotu and the installation of five 500 KVA transformers in Igbokoda.

Additional projects she mentioned were the distribution of 2,000 twin lockers and essential textbooks to public schools, payment of bursaries and scholarship allowances to tertiary institution students, and empowerment programmes for the elderly, physically challenged, and community leaders. She also cited investments in healthcare, clean water, and educational infrastructure, among others.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government, Mr Maurice Oripenaye, urged all stakeholders to work in synergy to harness the development opportunities available in the Ilaje area.

He appealed to traditional leaders to sensitise their subjects against vandalism and emphasised the need to enforce traffic regulations in Igbokoda, as well as maintain orderliness on market days.

The event, held amidst fanfare, featured goodwill messages, remarks, and a presentation of the Commission’s scorecard. It was attended by community leaders, market women, politicians, and staff of the commission.