By Allen Sowore, Esq.
In line with the “OUR EASE” agenda and the vision of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for rapid development across Ondo State, the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has proposed a N33.86 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
Last week, the Commission convened a consultative forum with key stakeholders—including traditional rulers, community leaders, political and religious figures, and representatives of youth and women groups from oil-producing communities. The purpose was to conduct a needs assessment in adherence to global best practices for participatory budgeting.
During the two-day stakeholders’ forum, held in Igbekebo and Igbokoda—the headquarters of Ese-Odo and Ilaje Local Government Areas respectively—Secretary of the Commission, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, underscored the importance of sustained engagement with community leaders as fundamental to the sustainable development of the state’s oil-producing areas.
OSOPADEC is mandated to manage 40% of the 13% oil derivation fund accruing to the state, dedicated exclusively to the development of Ilaje and Ese-Odo LGAs. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reiterated his commitment to ensuring full remittance of this allocation to the Commission.
The proposed 2025 budget represents a significant increase from the N16.5 billion approved for 2024. However, OSOPADEC disclosed that it was only able to access about N7 billion of that amount due to economic constraints, achieving just 18% of its budget targets. Despite this, the Commission completed several impactful projects, including the rehabilitation of the 32.725 km Alape-Araromi Road, the 1 km Igbotu township road, disbursement of bursaries and scholarships, provision of school furniture and textbooks, and stipends for the elderly and physically challenged in its mandate areas.
Of the proposed N33.86 billion for 2025, N29 billion is earmarked for capital projects leaving the balance of N4. 86 for the recurrent expenditure. The projects capture include the construction of the third phase of the UgboNla–Aiyetoro Road (UgboNla–Eruona), the completion of the General Hospital at Agadagba-Obon, rehabilitation of the Maritime and Logistics School in Ugbonla, and the development of multiple jetties and walkways across various locations.
The budget also makes provision for sand filling and shoreline protection in coastal communities, in line with Governor Aiyedatiwa’s directive that no community under OSOPADEC’s mandate should be lost to sea incursion.
Inland infrastructure development is also a priority, with road construction and rehabilitation planned for communities such as Igbokoda, Atijere, Igbekebo, and Sabomi. Other key features of the budget include youth empowerment programmes, establishment of ICT centers in schools and examination bodies, as well as continued support for tertiary education through bursaries and scholarships.
Chairman of the Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on OSOPADEC, Hon. Oluwatoyin Allen, praised the Commission for initiating the budget process with stakeholder input. He announced the creation of a performance monitoring techniques in both LGAs to ensure the budget’s full implementation.
Ilaje LG Chairman, Hon. Oripenaye Maurice, and his Ese-Odo counterpart, Hon. Caleb Molos, pledged their unwavering support for OSOPADEC and Governor Aiyedatiwa’s vision for the state.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, Oba Oluwasegun Akinyomi, the Amapetu of Mahinland, and Oba Professor (Deacon) Sunday Adejimola Amuseghan (Lawe II), the Kalasuwe of Apoi, assured the Commission of their cooperation in ensuring the success of development projects in their domains. They also urged OSOPADEC to prioritize job creation, healthcare, education, electricity, and infrastructure.
Allen Sowore, Esq.
Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Strategic Communication
