Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has declared a new initiative to reclaim land for communities living in the state’s riverine areas. This effort intends to bolster living standards and mitigate persistent environmental hazards. During a visit to Obe-Nla in the Ilaje Local Government Area, the governor inaugurated a one-kilometre concrete walkway built by the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
Alongside the walkway, Governor Aiyedatiwa initiated the construction of a three-kilometre jetty path and opened a new clean water supply system. These concrete walkways replace traditional wooden structures that have caused decades of accidents and mobility issues for residents navigating swampy terrain. Project engineers confirmed the new walkways are reinforced to endure for over a century.
Addressing the crowd, the governor labeled the project a pathway to dignity that will improve safety and encourage local commerce. He confirmed that land reclamation projects will follow to create more secure residential areas. Furthermore, the state government plans to work with federal authorities and international partners to combat severe coastal erosion threatening regions like Ayetoro.
OSOPADEC Chairman Prince Biyi Poroye praised the development as a fulfillment of government promises and highlighted the commission’s intent to represent Ondo’s coastal interests at the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference. Local residents welcomed the infrastructure as a significant improvement over the dangerous conditions they previously endured.
