……As OSOPADEC Boss Meets Finance Minister, Says Governor Repeatedly Appealed to Tinubu, Umahi to Retain Original Plan.
The Exective Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, has urged federal ministers, senators and Reps representing Ondo State to intensify efforts to secure the inclusion of Ilaje and Ese-Odo in the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, warning against political blame-shifting over the exclusion of the coastal communities.
Poroye also called on the Federal Government to establish a special intervention fund for shoreline protection, waterway dredging, flood control, access roads and livelihood restoration in the state’s vulnerable riverine communities.
He made the appeal during a visit by a delegation comprising representatives of OSOPADEC, the Ondo State Ministry of Environment and the Ugboland Host Communities Development Trust to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele.
Describing the coastal highway as a Federal Government project, Poroye insisted that securing a favourable outcome for Ondo State required a collective effort rather than placing the responsibility solely on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“We must stop the blame game. This is a Federal Government project, not a state government project. It requires a collaborative effort from everyone who has a responsibility to protect the interests of Ondo State,” he said.
Poroye disclosed that Aiyedatiwa had repeatedly appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Hitech Construction Company to reconsider the road’s alignment to accommodate other sections of the state’s coastline.
He urged the state’s three senators and federal ministers to engage the relevant authorities to restore the Ilaje and Ese-Odo axes to the original route.
“If we are saying the governor is not speaking enough, does that mean you, too, will not speak because you are not the governor? Are you not an indigene of Ondo State? This is not about political sentiments; it is about the future of our people,” Poroye said.
The OSOPADEC chairman maintained that if the coastal highway could not be extended to adequately serve the affected communities, the Federal Government should provide a dedicated intervention package to address their longstanding environmental and infrastructural challenges.
He identified the Ugbo – Oghoye Road, Akintubuwa – Mahin – Ugbo – Ugbonla Road, proposed Ugbonla – Aiyetoro Road, Agadagba – Obon – Arogbo Road, Araromi – Alape – Agerige – Lagos Road and Ilutitun – Mahintedo – Itebu-Kunmi – Atijere Road as priority routes requiring urgent attention.
He said the proposed intervention should also cover shoreline protection, dredging, flood control, livelihood restoration and related security concerns.
Poroye appealed to Oyedele to use his position to engage relevant federal authorities and facilitate funding for the proposed interventions, noting the Ministry of Finance’s strategic role in the national budget process.
He urged political leaders and other stakeholders in Ondo State to put aside partisan interests and work together to secure lasting solutions for the coastal communities.
The delegation included the top management of OSOPADEC, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Environment, Engr. Akin Omotola, who represented the commissioner, Dr. Tob Loko, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ugboland Host Communities Development Trust, Sir Benson Obayelu.
Responding on behalf of Oyedele, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mohammad Sanusi, assured the delegation that the Federal Government would explore possible areas of intervention in collaboration with OSOPADEC.
He stressed the need for sustained engagement with relevant federal agencies to address the environmental and infrastructural challenges confronting Ondo State’s oil-producing communities.
