OSOPADEC: REIGNITING THE HOPE OF THE PEOPLE
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OSOPADEC: REIGNITING THE HOPE OF THE PEOPLE
By Allen Sowore, Esq
Since the ascension of Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as Governor of Ondo State, the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has embarked on laudable projects and programmes, rekindling hope among the people of the state’s oil-producing communities.
Established by an act of the Ondo State Government in 2001, OSOPADEC was designed as an intervention agency to fast-track sustainable development in oil-producing areas.
The Commission is tasked with key responsibilities, including road construction, waterway clearance, rural electrification, provision of potable water, rehabilitation of public infrastructure, sand filling and land reclamation, as well as implementing economic empowerment initiatives for the local populace.
Available evidence clearly shows that the Commission is back on track, actively fulfilling its core mandates.
On Wednesday, April 18, 2025, the Secretary of the Commission, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, flagged off the harvest of fish from the demonstration floating cages at the Fishery Terminal premises in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area. The event saw the harvest of over 17,000 mature catfish—a significant milestone.
Additionally, plans are underway to train 100 youths from both Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas in commercial fish production. This is a progressive move. I have consistently advocated for a shift away from traditional fishing. Our people must evolve from being mere fishermen and fisherwomen. The region’s rich aquatic environment and favorable water ecology offer immense potential for mechanized fish farming—an approach that protects natural fish species from extinction while boosting economic viability.
It is also encouraging to see the Commission aligning with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s broader initiative to upgrade and expand the state’s power infrastructure, enhance energy reliability, and stimulate economic growth.
The Commission’s recent supply, installation, and energization of power transformers in several communities—Aboto Community, Broad Street (Igbokoda), Larada, Temetan, and Okoga, each with a 300KVA capacity—is commendable.
What remains crucial now is the extension of these impactful projects to the hinterlands of Ugbo and remote communities in Ese-Odo. These areas, too, deserve the dividends of democracy and sustainable development.
Allen Sowore Esq
SSA to Ondo State Governor on Strategic Communication
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