OSOPADEC Deploys Shoreline Defence to Halt Erosion Onslaught in Ondo Oil Communities

Fidelis David in Akure

The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has rolled out shoreline protection and land reclamation projects to stem the devastating coastal erosion and sea incursion ravaging oil-producing communities in the sunshine state.

Chairman of the commission, Olabiyi Poroye, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media briefing on the 10th board’s six-month scorecard.

Poroye revealed the commission had developed strategic plans for shoreline protection and reclamation in Ayetoro and other vulnerable coastal communities.

According to him, Governor Aiyedatiwa has approved the construction of a shoreline protection and reclamation project at Obe-Nla as a pilot initiative to test and refine the technology before wider deployment.

While noting the commission’s various interventions were critical to safeguarding lives, property, and livelihoods in riverine areas, Poroye insisted that residents continued to suffer from the devastating effects of climate change, sea incursion, and coastal erosion.

Declaring the board had delivered key infrastructure and social projects within the period, the chairman said those initiatives aimed to improve living conditions in oil-producing areas.

His words: “The General Hospital at Agadagba-Obon in Ese-Odo has been completed, bringing healthcare services closer to riverine dwellers.

“In the education sector, the commission renovated 21 public primary and secondary schools across Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas, with 13 already completed and others ongoing.”

Poroye added that the 2023/2024 OSOPADEC scholarships and bursaries had been fully paid to eligible students from oil-producing communities.

He disclosed that the state governor had also approved the completion of three OSOPADEC student hostels at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.

The OSOPADEC boss further stated that the 28.5km Aboto–Atijere Road had achieved 33 per cent completion, while the 4.72km Ugbo-Nla–Erunna Road—also referred to as Igbokoda–Ayetoro Road Phase III – was under processing.

Poroye also noted the rural electrification of Ilumeje-Atijere, covering Igboegunrin, Gbolomi, and Igbobi, was undergoing approval at the Ondo State Bureau of Public Procurement.

He added that five units of 500KVA and 300KVA transformers had already been installed at Aboto and strategic locations across Igbokoda.

He continued: “The construction of 1,000 metres of concrete walkways at Obe-Nla has reached 85 per cent completion, while the School of Maritime Transport and Logistics at Ugbo-Nla is also 85 per cent complete. This represents a major investment in skills development and the blue economy.

“The board carried out extensive project tours across the OSOPADEC mandate areas to ensure accountability and proper oversight. Contractors handling various projects, including the Omuro International Market in Ugbo-Nla, have been mobilised and paid.

“We have awarded 18 concrete landing walkways across Ilaje and Ese-Odo, produced a baseline development report for the two local government areas, and awarded contracts for naval and police security checkpoints with concrete jetties, water schemes, market infrastructure, and the supply of chairs and tables to schools”, Poroye added.