₦33.8 Billion and Nothing to Show? Fresh Questions Rock OSOPADEC as Chairman Marks One Year in Office

By Passman Akpos

Akure, Ondo State — The Ondo People’s Accountability Front (OPAF) has passed a vote of no confidence on the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Biyi Poroye, accusing him of failing to deliver tangible development projects across oil-producing communities one year after assuming office.

The group, led by its President, Comrade Utanghan Education, made the declaration on Monday as Prince Poroye marked his first anniversary in office, having been inaugurated as Chairman of OSOPADEC on June 16, 2025.

In a statement released to commemorate the milestone, OPAF expressed disappointment over what it described as the absence of any major completed and commissioned project under the current administration despite the Commission’s substantial annual financial allocation.

According to the group, OSOPADEC reportedly receives approximately ₦33.82 billion annually through statutory allocations, yet residents of oil-producing communities continue to grapple with poor infrastructure, inadequate healthcare facilities, lack of potable water, environmental degradation, unemployment, and numerous abandoned projects.

OPAF alleged that the Commission’s activities during the past year have largely revolved around project flag-offs, inspections, media engagements, and public announcements without corresponding project completion.

“After one year in office, the people deserve to see completed and functional projects that directly improve their lives. Development should not be measured by ceremonies and announcements, but by tangible impact on the people,” Comrade Utanghan Education stated.

The organization questioned the sustainability of repeatedly launching projects without clear completion timelines and called on the Commission to provide greater transparency regarding ongoing projects and expenditures.

Among the projects highlighted was the 1,000-metre concrete walkway project in Obe-Nla, reportedly valued at ₦1.7 billion. OPAF demanded full disclosure of the project’s scope, funding structure, contract details, and expected completion date.

The group also revisited concerns surrounding the General Hospital project in Agadagba-Obon, which was originally awarded in 2010. Despite several administrations and contract reviews, the project remains uncompleted more than a decade later, according to the organization.

OPAF further criticized what it termed an uneven distribution of development initiatives across OSOPADEC’s mandate areas, urging the Commission to ensure fairness in project allocation between Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas.

The accountability group specifically drew attention to coastal communities including Ayetoro, Awoye, Abereke, and Atijere, where residents continue to face severe shoreline erosion and sea incursion that threaten homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure.

According to OPAF, these communities require urgent environmental intervention and shoreline protection projects, which fall within the statutory responsibilities of OSOPADEC.

The group also highlighted infrastructural deficits in several communities within the Ukparama axis of Ese-Odo Local Government Area, particularly Ajapa and Akpata communities.

In Ajapa, residents reportedly depend on untreated stream water due to the absence of potable water facilities, while the community also lacks modern concrete landing jetties and durable footbridges needed to support transportation and economic activities.

Similarly, OPAF said communities within the Akpata area, including Tamaraubotei, Ugoububogho, and Ojudo-Ama, continue to struggle with deteriorating wooden walkways and abandoned infrastructure projects that pose safety risks to residents.

The group maintained that while several projects may have been initiated under the current administration, the pace of execution and completion remains inadequate considering the level of resources available to the Commission.

Consequently, OPAF called on the Ondo State House of Assembly, anti-corruption agencies, civil society organizations, and other oversight institutions to conduct a comprehensive review of OSOPADEC’s finances, project implementation processes, contract awards, and expenditures over the past year.

The organization urged the Commission to focus on completing ongoing projects and delivering visible development across all oil-producing communities.

According to OPAF, residents deserve access to quality healthcare, clean drinking water, functional roads, shoreline protection infrastructure, modern jetties, and sustainable economic empowerment programmes that directly improve their standard of living.

As debates over development in Ondo’s oil-producing communities continue, the group’s vote of no confidence is expected to intensify public scrutiny of OSOPADEC’s performance and the management of resources allocated for the development of the state’s oil-bearing areas.