Ondo Commission Distributes N400m Relief to Victims of Attack

The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission has commenced the distribution of relief materials to communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state following an alleged attack by naval personnel.

In October last year, men of the Nigerian Navy allegedly invaded the three communities of Obejedo, Obe-Adun and Obe-Nla, all in Ilaje LGA, destroying properties worth millions of naira.

Following the alleged attack, residents of the affected communities petitioned the Nigerian Police and other stakeholders to investigate the incident, lamenting that many residents had been displaced as a result.

Speaking during the distribution of the materials at Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje LGA, on Saturday, the Executive Chairman of OSOPADEC, Biyi Poroye, said the commission acted on the governor’s directive after visiting the affected communities and submitting recommendations.

According to him, the materials, which included mattresses, foodstuffs, washing machines, household materials, among others, were worth N400m.

He said, “The motive behind this relief materials is to ameliorate the suffering of the people who were affected in the misunderstanding between some Ilaje communities and Naval military officers. Although the governor has also expressed his concern that our people should always exercise patience, especially when it has to do with engagement with the military personnels.

“A sum of N400 million was approved and spent judiciously on tangible interventions. This materials cut across the building and construction of the damaged buildings and everything. What the governor approved for was N400 million and that was what I am directed to be expended for.

“You cannot just hand over money to people and somebody will come tomorrow and say, what are the proofs? That is what you have seen.”

Highlighting other achievements of the commission, Poroye said, “In reality, today, in most of our communities since I came on board, we have completed about seven jetties.

“All the abandoned and ongoing projects were given due attention. You would have seen in the air the Agadagba hospital that was there for 16 years, we have rehabilitated it, we have renovated some schools also in Ilaje.”

In his address, the Chairman of the OSOPADEC Palliative Committee, Dr Ola Judah, described the exercise as deliberate and impactful.

He disclosed that the committee facilitated the construction of 12 12-bedroom houses and the rehabilitation of another 14, among others.

“This moment is not ceremonial, it is purposeful, deliberate, and anchored on best practices in humanitarian intervention. This intervention is aimed at restoring stability and improving living conditions for affected families.

“To stimulate local economic recovery, we have provided fifteen Yamaha outboard engines, thirteen fishing boats, and established a modern bakery,” he said.