Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Saturday commissioned a one-kilometre concrete walkway in Obe-Nla, Ilaje Local Government Area, flagged off the construction of an additional three-kilometre walkway and inaugurated a modern water supply scheme for the riverine community.
The projects, executed through the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, are aimed at improving transportation, access to potable water and the living conditions of residents in the oil-producing community.
Speaking at the ceremony, Aiyedatiwa said the projects reflected his administration's commitment to ensuring equitable development across all parts of the state, particularly the riverine areas.
The governor said the completed walkway would improve mobility, enhance economic activities and provide safer access for residents who had for years relied on unsafe wooden walkways.
"This walkway is more than a physical structure. It is a pathway to hope, dignity and greater economic opportunities for our people. It is a practical response to the genuine needs of this community," he said.
Aiyedatiwa assured residents that the intervention would not end with the current projects, disclosing that plans were underway to embark on land reclamation projects to address the long-standing environmental challenges confronting coastal communities.
He also commissioned a rehabilitated water scheme comprising a restored borehole, a 50,000-litre elevated storage tank, a reticulation network and a reverse osmosis treatment plant designed to provide safe drinking water to Obe-Nla and neighbouring communities.
The governor highlighted other ongoing infrastructure projects across the state, including the Aboto-Atijere Road, the Agadagba-Obon General Hospital, the Aboto water sedimentation tank, the Molutehin Mini Water Scheme, the Igbokoda-Okitipupa Dual Carriageway and the Irele-Sabomi Road.
He reaffirmed his administration's resolve to tackle coastal erosion, flooding and sea incursion in Ayetoro and other shoreline communities through collaboration with the Federal Government, HITECH Construction Company and other development partners.
Earlier, the Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, said the projects demonstrated the commission's commitment to translating public funds into tangible development across its mandate areas.
He listed completed projects to include the General Hospital at Agadagba-Obon, the Igbotu Township Road, concrete walkways in Obe-Nla and concrete landing walkways in Obe-Rewoye, Obe-Ogbaro, Obe-Magbe and Obe-Lomore.
Poroye said the commission was also executing strategic projects, including the Sabomi Township Road and the construction of naval security posts with jetties at Atijere, Odun-Oyinbo, Ebighan and Apata, alongside several landing jetties in Ilaje and Ese-Odo.
On environmental sustainability, the OSOPADEC chairman announced that the commission would participate in the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, where it would showcase the environmental challenges facing Ondo's coastal communities and seek international partnerships.
"We are taking the conversation beyond our shores. Through our participation at COP31 and the planned OSOPADEC International Conference on Climate Change, we hope to attract global support towards addressing coastal erosion, flooding and other environmental threats confronting our communities," Poroye said.
The Amapetu of Mahinland, Oba Oluwasegun Williams Akinyomi, described the completion of the walkway as a major milestone for the community and commended the governor for prioritising development in the riverine areas.
He urged residents to continue supporting the state government to ensure the successful execution of more developmental projects across Ilaje.
The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government, Morris Oripenaye, also lauded the governor for the interventions, reaffirming the people's support for the administration.
Top government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders, OSOPADEC board members and stakeholders attended the event.
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