OSOPADEC KICK- STARTS PROCESS OF PROJECT EXECUTION
… As Technical Stakeholders Meet in Akure
The Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has given his total commitment on the construction of 4.72Km Ugbonla – Ayetoro road in Ilaje local government area of the state.
OSOPADEC Chairman, Hon. Sam Erejuwa revealed this when the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing Pst. Joseph in conjunction with a team of technical stakeholders met at the Commission’s headquarters in Oba-Ile.
The Chairman noted that the construction of the road which will be funded by the state government through OSOPADEC in partnership with Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will put an end to the age long yearnings and agitation of people in the mandate area, particularly citizens from the Ugbo axis in the oil rich local government.
Erejuwa revealed that the road when completed will enhance the potentialities of School of Maritime Transport and Logistics, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa. The school according to Erejuwa would be in partnership with Carribean Maritime University in Kingston, Jamaica with students spending three years in Nigeria and one year in Jamaica to complete their studies.
Positing further, the Chairman hinted that, Ayetoro shoreline protection and Ondo Deep Sea Port are equally envisaged to reap immense benefits at the completion of the road as this will transform the economy well being of the sunshine state.
In his words; ” The wealth of Ondo State is in the sea; access road to Port Ondo is on this road, Shoreline Protection of Ayetoro is on this same road and as part of our contributions, we are building a campus for Olusegun Agagu University for School of Maritime Transport and Logistics also on this same road; so it’s a win-win situation for the state, for Mr. Governor, for the people in the mandate area, for OSOPADEC and for the Committee”.
Earlier in his remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing Pst. Babalola Joseph Ayoade emphasised the importance of the road and expressed hope that the road will provide the required economic boost for the people in the area and by extension, citizens of the state.
He added that during construction, the road will provide hundreds of direct jobs for skilled and unskilled labour thereby generating income to the people in the environment.
He subsequently inaugurated a tripartite committee which has representatives from Ondo State Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and a consortium of Consultants, while expecting nominations from Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
In the meeting was Mr. Adebanjo Ayodele who represented Mr. Governor.
OSOPADEC Board members were equally on ground. They include Hon. Atili Ikoto Agabra, Hon. Engr. Steve Fadaini, Hon. Raphael Adegboye, Hon. Mrs Mosun Odukale and OSOPADEC Acting Secretary, Barr. Bayo Ololajulo.
Others were Country Representative of CCECC, Mr. Joseph Yu, former NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Mr. Benson Obayelu and Engr. Tunde Alabi of Empro Consultants Ltd.
Also in attendance were OSOPADEC Project team led by Engr. Victor Erukubami, Director,Project Planning and Development,Engr. Allen Eregha, Director, Project Monitoring and Evaluation and Engr. Olubunmi Filani, Director, Public Utilities and Direct Labour.