...Presents Baseline Report, Seeks Community Feedback

...Calls for Stronger Collaboration with Partners, Private Sector


The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has intensified efforts to promote inclusive development by engaging stakeholders in oil-producing communities in the formulation of its 2026 budget.

The move formed the focus of a stakeholders’ summit held in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, where community leaders, professionals and residents converged to deliberate on development priorities for the mandate areas.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who addressed participants at the event, called on stakeholders to actively contribute to the budgeting process, stressing that development must reflect the real needs of the people.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Segun Omojuwa, the governor said the initiative was aimed at deepening grassroots participation while ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.

He noted that sustainable development could only be achieved when communities take ownership of projects and are fully involved in decision-making processes.

Aiyedatiwa acknowledged that many oil-producing communities had suffered years of neglect, but assured residents of his administration’s commitment to reversing the trend through targeted interventions.

He, however, emphasised that government alone could not drive development in the areas, calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, development partners and the private sector.

The governor added that his administration’s development agenda is anchored on inclusive growth, infrastructure, human capital development, environmental sustainability and good governance.

“This gathering represents more than just a meeting; it reflects our collective commitment to purposeful governance, inclusive development, and sustainable growth in our oil-producing communities.

“I commend the leadership of the commission for taking this bold step to engage critical stakeholders ahead of the 2026 budget. This approach reinforces our belief that development must be participatory, transparent, and accountable to the people it is meant to serve.

“As we look ahead to the 2026 budget, I assure you of our commitment to seamless implementation once it is finalised. That is part of the reason we are here today, to ensure your meaningful contributions are reflected.

“We will ensure that every allocation translates into tangible benefits for our people, while upholding accountability and transparency in the use of public funds,” he said.

In his remarks, OSOPADEC Chairman, Olabiyi Poroye, said the summit was designed to achieve multiple objectives, including presenting a baseline development report and gathering stakeholders’ input for effective planning.

He explained that the report, which covers Ese Odo and Ilaje Local Government Areas, was presented to the people for scrutiny and feedback to ensure accuracy and inclusiveness.

Poroye noted that over a thousand stakeholders participated in the exercise, adding that they had been organised into committees to generate ideas and proposals for the 2026 budget.

He stressed the need for collaboration beyond government, noting that partnerships with development organisations and the private sector are critical to addressing the challenges in the mandate areas.

“The resources the government is putting in the mandate area alone cannot help us. What OSOPADEC is doing alone cannot help us. We need our friends, sympathisers, donors, believers in development in helping less privileged and less developed areas to come to the aid of the mandate areas.

“Those and more are reasons why we have gathered here, to tell them what we have done, what we are doing and what we will do, and above all, to hear what they want us to do.

“Each community must choose what they want OSOPADEC to do for them, rather than decisions being taken elsewhere without their input,” Poroye said.