Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fast-tracking development in oil-producing communities as the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) commenced stakeholder consultations for its 2026 budget.
The pledge was delivered at a high-level stakeholders’ summit held in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, where community leaders, professionals, and residents gathered to outline development priorities across the commission’s mandate areas.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Segun Omojuwa, the governor emphasized that the summit marked a critical step toward strengthening grassroots participation, transparency, and accountability in governance.
He urged stakeholders to actively shape the budgeting process, stressing that sustainable development must reflect the real needs of the people. According to him, meaningful progress depends on community ownership of projects and inclusive decision-making.
Acknowledging longstanding neglect in several oil-producing communities, Aiyedatiwa assured residents that his administration is determined to reverse the trend through targeted interventions. However, he noted that government efforts alone would not suffice, calling for stronger collaboration with development partners and the private sector.
“This gathering reflects our shared commitment to inclusive development and sustainable growth,” he said, adding that every allocation in the 2026 budget would be tied to tangible outcomes for residents while maintaining strict accountability in public spending.
Earlier, OSOPADEC Chairman, Biyi Poroye, explained that the summit aimed to present a baseline development report and gather stakeholder input for the 2026 budget framework.
He noted that the report—covering Ese Odo Local Government Area and Ilaje—was presented for validation to ensure accuracy and inclusiveness. According to him, over 1,000 stakeholders participated, having been previously organized into committees to develop proposals.
Poroye also revealed plans for an international conference scheduled for October, focused on addressing climate change challenges facing coastal communities. He said the initiative is expected to attract global support, stressing that government resources alone are insufficient to tackle the region’s developmental issues.
He called on donors, development partners, and other stakeholders to support ongoing efforts aimed at improving living conditions in the oil-producing areas, underscoring the need for collective action to drive meaningful change.
