Ondo Oil Commission Engages Communities On 2026 Budget Priorities

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

This formed the focus of a stakeholders’ summit held in Igbokoda, Ilaje local government area, where community leaders, professionals and residents converged to identify and prioritise development needs across the mandate areas.

At the event, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa urged stakeholders to take an active role in the budgeting process, emphasising that development initiatives must reflect the genuine needs of the people.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Segun Omojuwa, the governor described the summit as part of ongoing efforts by OSOPADEC to strengthen grassroots participation while promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

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

Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the long-standing neglect experienced by many oil-producing communities but assured residents of his administration’s resolve to reverse the trend through targeted OSOPADEC interventions.

‎He, however, noted that the government alone cannot drive the needed transformation, calling for stronger collaboration between OSOPADEC, stakeholders, development partners and the private sector.

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

‎He commended OSOPADEC’s leadership for initiating the consultative process ahead of the 2026 budget, noting that such an approach reinforces transparency and ensures that public resources are deployed in line with people’s needs.

‎“As we prepare for the 2026 budget, I assure you of seamless implementation once finalised. We are here to ensure that your contributions are captured and reflected in the final document,” the governor added.

‎He further pledged that every allocation under OSOPADEC would translate into visible and impactful projects, assuring that accountability would remain a top priority in the execution of programmes.

‎In his remarks, OSOPADEC chairman, Olabiyi Poroye, said the summit was designed to present a baseline development report and harvest stakeholders’ inputs for effective planning.

‎He explained that the OSOPADEC baseline report, covering Ese Odo and Ilaje local government areas, was made available for public scrutiny to ensure accuracy, inclusiveness and community ownership.

‎Poroye disclosed that over a thousand stakeholders participated in the OSOPADEC exercise, adding that attendees had been grouped into committees to develop practical proposals for their respective communities.

‎He also revealed plans by OSOPADEC to host an international conference in October to address climate change challenges affecting coastal communities.