GOV AIYEDATIWA COMMISSIONS 1KM CONCRETE WALKWAY, WATER SCHEME, FLAGS OFF 3KM PROJECT IN ILAJE
By The NewsPostage
…Gov assures on land reclamation in riverine communities as OSOPADEC unveils climate agenda
Ondo State Governor, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Saturday commissioned a one-kilometre concrete walkway and a potable water supply scheme in Obe-Nla, Ilaje Local Government Area, while flagging off the construction of an additional three-kilometre concrete walkway for the community.
The governor said the projects highlight his administration’s determination to ensure that no community, regardless of its geographical challenges, is deprived of the dividends of good governance, stressing that equitable development remains central to the state’s EASE agenda.
Describing the projects as landmark interventions, Governor Aiyedatiwa said they were practical responses to the long-standing needs of riverine communities rather than mere physical infrastructure.
“This occasion is far more than the inauguration of concrete infrastructure. It is a reaffirmation of our administration’s unwavering resolve to ensure that no community, however distant or geographically challenged, is left behind in our march towards shared prosperity,” he said.
The governor noted that his administration has remained committed to executing projects that improve lives, expand opportunities and restore public confidence in government’s capacity to serve the people.
He recalled that residents of many riverine communities had, for decades, relied on unsafe wooden walkways across swampy terrain, a situation that impeded commerce, restricted access to schools and healthcare facilities and exposed residents to avoidable risks.
“As a responsive government, we could not afford to be indifferent. Today’s commissioning is therefore a practical response to genuine needs,” he added.
Responding to those who might regard the projects as modest, Governor said only those who had lived in the riverine communities could fully appreciate their significance.
He said: “Some of you that come from the upland may be wondering why we are celebrating and commissioning just concrete walkways. Those who live in this community and grew up here will appreciate more what we are doing today. This is a genuine need for our people.”
The governor assured residents that the intervention would not end with the completion of the walkways, declaring that his administration would embark on land reclamation to create more habitable land for the people.
“But we are coming. This will not be the end. We are going to give land to our people through reclamation in the days ahead,” he declared.
He described the completed walkway as “a corridor of hope, a pathway to dignity and a bridge to greater economic and social opportunities,” saying it would improve mobility, enhance safety and stimulate economic activities.
The governor also commissioned a potable water supply scheme rehabilitated from a non-functional borehole inherited from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He explained that the project involved the rehabilitation of the borehole by the Ondo State Water Corporation, installation of a 50,000-litre elevated overhead storage tank, an extensive water reticulation network serving homes and public institutions, as well as a modern reverse osmosis water treatment facility to provide safe drinking water.
“This is not just for Obe-Nla. Neighbouring communities are also coming here to fetch water,” the governor said.
Highlighting ongoing infrastructure development across the riverine communities, Governor Aiyedatiwa listed the 38.5-kilometre Aboto-Atijere Road, the General Hospital at Agadagba-Obon, the two-million-gallon-per-day water sedimentation tank at Aboto, the mini water scheme at Molutehin and several community-based projects being executed through the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
He added that work was progressing on the 8.5-kilometre dual carriageway from College Road to Okitipupa Junction through Irewole Roundabout in Igbokoda and the Igbokoda-Okitipupa dual carriageway, while contracts had also been awarded for the Irele-Sabo-Mahin-Ugbo Road, selected roads in Igbokoda and the Zion-Pepe-Agerige Road.
According to him, the projects were deliberately designed to improve connectivity, unlock economic potential and accelerate development across the coastal corridor.
The governor further assured residents of Aiyetoro and other vulnerable shoreline communities that his administration is collaborating with the Federal Government and development partners, including HITECH, to address coastal erosion, flooding and sea incursion.
He urged residents to protect the newly commissioned projects, particularly the boreholes and water treatment facilities, to ensure their sustainability.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, said the commissioning of the one-kilometre concrete walkway and the flag-off of the three-kilometre project reflect the governor’s commitment to delivering meaningful infrastructure in riverine communities.
“Today is another clear realisation of the commitment of the Aiyedatiwa administration to ensure that our riverine communities enjoy the dividends of good governance,” Olawoye said.
He explained that the three-kilometre walkway had been redesigned with an increased width to accommodate canoes and would be constructed with 250mm diameter pipes, reinforced primary beams and secondary concrete beams.
In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Olabiyi Poroye, described the commissioning of the concrete walkway as the fulfilment of government’s promise to the people of the oil-producing communities.
“This is more than the inauguration of a completed project; it is the celebration of a promise fulfilled. A testament to the fact that government works best when leadership is guided by compassion and driven by commitment,” Poroye said.
He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering commitment to the development of the mandate areas, noting that the newly commissioned walkway would guarantee safer movement, improve commerce, expand access to education and healthcare and enhance the dignity of residents.
Poroye said the commission had translated every resource entrusted to it into measurable development, citing the bursary and scholarship awards granted to 4,873 students from Ilaje and Ese-Odo for the 2023/2024 academic session following the governor’s approval, as well as the commencement of the 2024/2025 bursary and scholarship scheme.
He added that OSOPADEC has sustained monthly stipends to traditional rulers, senior citizens and vulnerable persons while maintaining support for youths engaged in surveillance and maritime security operations.
The OSOPADEC chairman listed completed projects to include the General Hospital at Agadagba-Obon, the one-kilometre Igbotu Township Road, the Obe-Nla concrete walkway and concrete landing walkways at Obe-Rewoye, Obe-Ogbaro, Obe-Magbe and Obe-Lomore.
He said the commission had also flagged off the Sabomi Township Road, naval security posts with jetties at Atijere, Odun-Oyinbo, Ebighan and Apata, as well as concrete landing jetties across Ilaje and Ese-Odo.
Poroye, however, expressed concern over the impact of climate change on the coastline, noting that communities such as Ayetoro, Idi-Ogba, Gbagira, Awoye, Mese and Abereke continue to suffer from coastal erosion and ocean surge.
To attract global support, he disclosed that OSOPADEC would participate in the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled for November 9 to 20 in Antalya, Türkiye, where it would host the OSOPADEC Pavilion in the conference’s Blue Zone to showcase the realities of Ondo’s coastal communities, attract partnerships and seek support for climate resilience and sustainable development.
He also announced that the commission would host the OSOPADEC International Conference on Climate Change in Abuja from March 15 to 17, 2027, bringing together governments, development partners, investors, researchers and climate experts to develop sustainable solutions for coastal communities.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government, Moris Oripanye, thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for the interventions and reaffirmed the people’s support for his administration.
Dignitaries at the event included the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa; members of the State Executive Council; political appointees; traditional rulers; and other stakeholders.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
August 1, 2026.
