Ondo Assembly Tasks OSOPADEC on Completion of Abandoned Projects
By Elizabeth Oyeniwa
Ondo State House of Assembly has emphasized the need for all abandoned projects in oil-producing mandate areas to be completed before embarking on new ones.
The House Committee on the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), which gave the charge during a visit to the agency in Akure, noted that the primary responsibility of OSOPADEC is to address developmental challenges in the oil-producing communities.
The Committee, led by its Chairman, Hon Oluwatoyin Allen, frowned at the number of abandoned projects such as school buildings in some higher institutions, noting that if completed, they would enhance teaching and learning activities.
Allen said the visit was aimed at fostering transparency, collaboration, and improved service delivery.
The lawmaker, however, pledged to provide robust legislative support to the Commission to drive sustainable development in the oil-producing mandate areas.
He disclosed that the Committee would embark on an oversight tour to assess OSOPADEC’s projects with the aim of ensuring proper monitoring and accountability.
“We’re gathered here today to review the progress of OSOPADEC’s projects and initiatives. Our goal is to ensure transparency and accountability in budget implementation.
”We will review the status of ongoing projects, including the abandoned ones, and discuss ways to address them. We will also examine budget performance, focusing on capital projects.
Other lawmakers expressed optimism in the leadership of Prince Olabiyi Poroye, stating that with proper collaboration, residents of oil-producing communities would soon begin to feel the positive impact of OSOPADEC’s interventions.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Olabiyi Poroye, appreciated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for appointing them to serve on the Board. He assured the legislators of maximum cooperation and a collective resolve to reposition the agency for greater impact.
“Since our last meeting, we have made significant progress in laying a sound foundation for OSOPADEC. We have collected and analyzed data that have strengthened our budgeting system and planning.
*We have revisited abandoned projects and are working to complete them before starting new ones. We have also introduced a new approach to contractor selection, ensuring only capable and financially stable contractors are awarded projects.
”Our team has visited various sites to verify contractors’ claims. We also prioritize the welfare of our staff by providing opportunities for seminars and conferences to enhance their skills,” he stated.
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