By Allen Sowore, Esq.
Every time I see the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) on the right track, it fills me with joy. The Commission holds a special place in my heart, as it was my first workplace as a young graduate in 2007.
The recent initiative by OSOPADEC’s leadership to train staff on the core values of public service is a step in the right direction. Those responsible for developing oil-producing areas must be well-equipped with the necessary ethics and a clear understanding of the Commission’s mandate.
Building the capacity of management staff, in particular, is crucial. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to fully releasing the 40% allocation from the 13% oil derivation revenue to accelerate development in oil-producing communities.
To support this goal, OSOPADEC recently organized a two-day workshop focused on enhancing the capacity of management staff, promoting sustainable budgeting practices, and ensuring financial transparency.
Declaring the workshop open on Monday in Akure, the OSOPADEC Secretary, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, emphasized that financial accessibility and transparency are critical for tracking expenses and maintaining accurate financial records.
According to her, the training aimed to improve budgeting, financial planning, expense prioritization, and strategic financial decision-making. She stressed that financial stewardship is essential for all management staff to achieve transparency within the Commission. She also encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, as the sessions were designed to be interactive.
As part of OSOPADEC’s commitment to financial accountability, Bayo-Ilawole highlighted the importance of having a well-defined budget template for ongoing projects and ensuring that funds are allocated appropriately.
“We are committed to completing all ongoing projects,” she affirmed.
Beyond infrastructure development, OSOPADEC is also focusing on youth empowerment through agricultural initiatives, particularly fish farming.
“We are developing cage fish farming, and preparations started about two or three months ago. Some ponds have already been stocked with fingerlings, and feeding has begun at different stages,” she explained.
She further noted that training youth in fish farming will be seamless since many are already familiar with the practice. The Commission only needs to provide them with technical skills to align with modern techniques.
This is the way forward. I have always believed that we should stop being fishermen and women and instead become fish farmers.
Personally, I am deeply committed to supporting the Commission’s success because the people of Ilaje and Ese-Odo cannot afford for it to fail. For the first time, we have a Governor from the Commission’s core mandate areas.
In the past, political leaders have misplaced priorities and derailed the dreams of the Commission’s founding fathers. If history repeats itself—and the unexpected always happens—it would only reinforce how incapable we are of learning from experience.
With strategic financial management and targeted development initiatives, OSOPADEC is positioning itself to tackle future challenges and drive sustainable progress in Ondo State’s oil-producing areas. All critical stakeholders must brace for the development challenges ahead.
Allen Sowore, Esq.
SSA to the Governor on Strategic Communication
30th January, 2025
