— Beneficiaries hail Aiyedatiwa, Commissions Chairman, Poroye

By Dayo Johnson Akure

An intervention agency, the Ondo State, Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, has kick started the distribution of a comprehensive relief materials worth ₦400 million to communities in the oil rich ilaje Council Area of the state.

Executive Chairman of the commission, Prince Biyi Olaleye Poroye, said that the intervention marked a critical transition from crisis to recovery.

Poroye said that the intervention, approved by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, was targeted at residents of Obe-Nla, Obe-Adu and Obe-Jedo, whose homes and properties were destroyed during the October 18 2025 incident.

He pointed out that the commission acted on the governor’s directive after visiting the affected communities and submitting recommendations.

According to him ” We are not just responding to an incident; we are rebuilding lives and strengthening the future of our communities.

” The motive behind this relief materials is to ameliorate the suffering of the people who were affected in the misunderstanding between some Ilaje communities and Naval military officers.”

Relief materials distributed at the event include food items, clothing, mattresses, chairs and other household essentials aimed at providing immediate succour to displaced families.

Poroye who said that the ₦400 million approved was judiciously spent on tangible interventions, added that “This materials cut across the building and construction of the damaged buildings and everything.

What the governor approved for was N400 million and that was what I am directed to be expended for

“You cannot just hand over money to people and somebody will come tomorrow and say, what are the proofs? That is what you have seen.”

Beyond relief, the OSOPADEC boss unveiled “a broader economic recovery plan targeted at restoring livelihoods in the oil-rich and fishing communities.

“This includes the procurement of Yamaha outboard engines and the construction of fishing boats already underway.

He further disclosed that over 25 houses have been earmarked for renovation, while severely damaged structures will be completely rebuilt. Construction materials have been delivered to site, with work scheduled to commence immediately.

In addition, plans have been finalised for the construction of a modern bakery to replace the one destroyed during the crisis, alongside the deployment of power-generating equipment to support local enterprise.

Poroye emphasised that the Commission is implementing both phases of the intervention simultaneously to accelerate impact and ensure timely delivery of benefits.

Highlighting other achievements, the OSOPADEC boss said, “In reality, today, in most of our communities since I came on board, we have completed about seven jetties.

“All the abandoned and ongoing projects were given due attention. You will have seen in the air the Agadagbo hospital that was there for 16 years, we have rehabilitated it, we have renovated some schools also in Ilaje.”

The Chairman of the Palliative Committee, Rev. Dr. Ola Judah, described the initiative as a structured, data-driven humanitarian response anchored on global best practices.

Judah, said that a verified beneficiary database was developed to ensure fairness and eliminate duplication, adding that the Committee also facilitated housing support, including the construction of 12-bedroom units and rehabilitation of others.

He noted that economic empowerment remained central to the intervention, with the distribution of fishing equipment and establishment of a bakery designed to promote self-reliance rather than dependency.

“Our approach is deliberate; to restore dignity, stimulate productivity and build long-term resilience, strict monitoring mechanisms have been put in place to guarantee transparency.

Chairman of Ilaje Council Area, , Hon. Maurice Oripenaye, hailed the initiative as evidence of responsive governance reaching the grassroots.

Community representatives, including Prophet Ogo Obadiah Omosowone, expressed gratitude to the state government and OSOPADEC for what they described as timely intervention and genuine concern for affected residents.

The Permanent Secretary of the commission, Festus Adewale Omomowo, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership, describing him as a “man of wisdom” whose commitment to the welfare of the people continues to yield tangible results.

Omomowo assured that the current intervention is only the beginning of sustained development efforts in the mandate areas.

The event drew traditional rulers, community leaders and stakeholders, all of whom highlighted the importance of peace and collaboration in sustaining development.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiary, Okunomosoye Obadiah, expressed appreciation to the the state governor, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the support.

Obadiah said, “We are very happy for what Mr. Governor Aiyedatiwa and the Chairman of OSOPADEC have done for us.”

While recalling the incident, he added, “What the Naval officers have done to our communities is bad, but we really appreciate the Governor for his effort to bring us relief materials for our people.”

He, however, appealed for swift completion of damaged homes, saying, “We want to plead to the government to hasten the completion of the houses affected so that we can have where to put the palliative materials provided.”