OSOPADEC Clears Waterways, Removes Hyacinths Across Mandate Areas
Newsry news
26th July, 2024
By Allen Sowore Esq.
Life is gradually returning to the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) following the dissolution of its board by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the appointment of Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole as the secretary.
Although a new board has not yet been appointed, the Commission has started clearing and removing invasive water hyacinths from the waterways in Ilaje and Ese-Odo LGAs. This initiative aims to enhance economic activities and ensure the safety of life and property in these areas.
Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole personally monitored the exercise, executed by youths from various beneficiary communities. She disclosed on Wednesday at Alape beach in Ilaje Local Government Area that the exercise is ongoing in various locations, including River Alape and River Oropo, Mahintedo, Igboegunrin, Imoluwa and Itebu in Ilaje LGA.
In Ese-Odo LGA, waterways such as Opugbene, Ogidigba, Ojodou, Lalatei, Fiyebrashintei, Kiribo, Sabomi, Igbekebo, and Igbotu have been cleared.
She stated that Governor Aiyedatiwa approved the clearing of water hyacinths in these areas as part of his commitment to environmental protection, sustainability, safety, and the well-being of coastal communities.
According to Bayo-Ilawole, the water hyacinths have blocked waterways, affecting the economic productivity of rural dwellers. The clearing exercise, which began on Monday, July 22, 2024, aims to remove aquatic vegetation, debris, and other obstacles to prevent flooding, improve navigation, and enhance the overall ecosystem in Ilaje and Ese-Odo.
“We are very mindful that this is the rainy season and the season for water hyacinths on the waterways. This exercise aims to remove aquatic vegetation, debris, and other obstacles hindering the free flow of water, thereby preventing flooding, improving navigation, and enhancing the overall ecosystem in Ilaje and Ese-Odo,” she said.
“This effort is to mitigate the occasional damage of boat engines caused by this stubborn aquatic weed and to eliminate delays in travel time while promoting the use of water transport as a viable alternative that is safe, fast, and secure.”
The commission urges residents of the coastal communities and stakeholders to cooperate with the clearing team to ensure a seamless and successful operation.
Prince Adekunle Adeyemi, the Oloja of Oke-Pare and Alape, thanked the State Government and OSOPADEC for the timely intervention in clearing the water hyacinths across the Oke-Pare and Alape axis. He noted the difficulties in fishing activities and navigation between Alape River in Ondo State and Lagos State due to the water hyacinths.
Alape Youth Leader, Prince Taye Akinbuwa, assured OSOPADEC of massive cooperation from the youths to ensure the water hyacinths are removed from the waterways. He promised that the work would not be hindered and that the youths would fully support the Commission’s team in ensuring a successful operation.
He also called for more support for Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration to foster growth, prosperity, and environmental sustainability in the mandate areas.
The exercise was supervised by the Environment and Natural Resources Unit of the Commission. Engr. Aworetan, speaking on behalf of the department, assured that environmental protection, sustainability, and development are the core missions of OSOPADEC and that the Commission will not relent in fulfilling its mandate for the coastal areas.
Additionally, the Commission has completed arrangements to pay outstanding bursaries and scholarships for students from the mandate areas.
