By Dayo Johnson Akure

Ondo state government has commenced coastal communities shoreline protection and reclamation from incessant sea incursion.

The intervention was to tackle shoreline erosion and land loss in Ayetoro and other coastal communities affected by persistent sea incursion.

Chairman of the State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Biyi Poroye, said this in Akure, the state capital.

Poroye added the state government has approved the construction of a shoreline protection and reclamation project at Obe-Nla as a pilot initiative to evaluate and refine the technology before broader deployment.

Also, he said that projects initiated by the commission which had for a long while been abandoned across the mandate areas and tertiary institutions within the state will soon be completed.

According to him ” concrete steps have been taken to tackle shoreline erosion and land loss in Ayetoro and other coastal communities affected by persistent sea incursion, largely attributed to climate change.

” The state government has approved the construction of a shoreline protection and reclamation project at Obe-Nla as a pilot scheme, which will serve as a test case for possible expansion to other vulnerable communities.

On abandoned projects, Poroye assured that three long-neglected student hostel projects at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, would be completed. In addition, he confirmed that the 2023/2024 OSOPADEC scholarships and bursaries had been fully disbursed to eligible students.

He added that several road projects across the oil-producing areas are nearing completion, with particular emphasis on the 28.5-kilometre Aboto–Atijere Road.

Preparatory work, according to him “is ongoing for the construction of the 4.72-kilometre Ugbo-Nla–Erunna Road, which is expected to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activities along the coastal axis.

The Chairman explained that the commission has initiated a rural electrification project in Ilumeje-Atijere, extending from Igboegunrin through Gbolomi to Igbobi, in a bid to address long-standing electricity challenges in the riverine communities.

According to him, the construction of 1,000 metres of concrete walkways in Obe-Nla has reached about 85 per cent completion, while the School of Maritime Transport and Logistics at Ugbo-Nla is also at a similar level of completion.

He said, “To liberate our communities from the challenges posed by inadequate electricity, the Commission has initiated the rural electrification of Ilumeje-Atijere, covering from Igboegunrin through Gbolomi to Igbobi.

“To enhance the living conditions of our people, the construction of 1,000 metres of concrete walkways in Obe-Nla has reached 85 percent completion, providing safer, more dignified, and accessible pathways for the community.

“The School of Maritime Transport and Logistics at Ugbo-Nla, also 85 percent complete, represents a strategic investment in skills development, employment opportunities, and the blue economy sectors with immense potential to transform the livelihoods of our coastal communities.”

 He described the maritime institution as a strategic investment aimed at skills development, job creation and harnessing opportunities in the blue economy.

Poroye also highlighted internal reforms within the commission, noting that OSOPADEC has implemented capacity-building programmes, approved staff promotions, enhanced training opportunities and improved welfare packages in line with Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s vision of a responsive and efficient public service.

He announced that the commission would, in January, embark on another round of project inspections with members of the media to further demonstrate progress on ongoing interventions, stressing that OSOPADEC remains committed to translating policies into tangible projects and measurable outcomes for oil-producing communities.

He added that “In January, we will embark on another round of inspections with the media to showcase our ongoing work. They reflect a commission dedicated to transforming vision into action, policy into projects, and promises into measurable results.