The Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, has called on stakeholders to support Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in his efforts to accelerate the state’s development, according to the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Prince Biyi Poroye.
Poroye disclosed this after a delegation’s meeting with Oyedele in Abuja, where discussions centred on the controversy surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the need for urgent federal intervention in Ondo State’s coastal communities.
He said the finance minister stressed the importance of cooperation among political leaders, government officials and other stakeholders to advance the governor’s development agenda and promote the state’s interests.
Poroye urged federal ministers and lawmakers from Ondo State to translate the call for unity into concrete action by engaging relevant authorities on projects and interventions needed across the state.
The OSOPADEC chairman also disclosed that Aiyedatiwa had repeatedly appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Hitech Construction Company to review the coastal highway’s alignment to accommodate the Ilaje and Ese-Odo areas.
He called on the state’s federal representatives to complement the governor’s efforts, insisting that the dispute over the road project should not become an avenue for political recriminations at the expense of affected residents.
Poroye noted that coastal communities in the state continued to grapple with environmental challenges, including sea incursion and the effects of climate change, making urgent government intervention imperative.
He called for a special Federal Government intervention fund to address the challenges, listing shoreline protection, road construction, waterway dredging, flood control, livelihood restoration and security among the priority areas.
The OSOPADEC chairman urged Oyedele to facilitate discussions with relevant federal authorities on funding options and sustainable measures to tackle the problems confronting the riverine communities.
He expressed hope that the minister’s appeal for collective support for Aiyedatiwa would encourage stronger collaboration among political leaders and other stakeholders to secure lasting development for Ondo State.
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