By Ade Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Government is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with prospective investors for the development of the proposed Ondo Port and a modular refinery in the Ilaje axis of the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, disclosed this while speaking on the projects and the achievements of the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Ajanaku said the proposed port, formerly referred to as the Igbokoda Seaport, had reached an advanced stage, with the government working towards finalising arrangements with its partners.
He said the project, alongside the proposed modular refinery and other investments, was part of the administration’s plan to transform Ilaje into a major economic and business hub.
According to him, the state government is also exploring the potential of the Ilaje Free Trade Zone and the 71-kilometre coastal road project to attract investments and stimulate economic activities in the area.
The commissioner said the government was also in discussions with investors, including the Dangote Group, as part of efforts to open up the coastal area for commercial activities.
Ajanaku explained that the Aiyedatiwa administration had also prioritised infrastructure, with road projects ongoing across the state.
He said about 19 major road projects were currently under construction in different parts of Ondo State, in addition to the ongoing Akure flyover project and five-kilometre roads being executed across the local government areas.
The commissioner said the administration had also awarded the 15-kilometre Oba-Afo-Idoani road in Ose Local Government Area, while construction was expected to commence soon.
He noted that the government’s infrastructure policy was designed to open up rural communities and improve the movement of agricultural produce from farming areas to urban centres.
On healthcare, Ajanaku said the government was constructing new hospitals, including 100-bed facilities at Okitipupa and Ikare, another 100-bed facility in Idanre and a 50-bed hospital at Idoani.
He added that the administration had invested in medical equipment, including CT scan and MRI machines, to reduce the need for residents to travel outside the state for specialised diagnostic services.
According to him, the government has also employed 935 health workers within the past year to strengthen manpower in the health sector.
Ajanaku said the government’s intervention had received commendation from the Ondo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, particularly over the implementation of the new salary structure for doctors and the provision of medical equipment.
On education, the commissioner said the administration had recruited 2,000 teachers, describing the exercise as a major intervention after years of inadequate manpower in primary and secondary schools.
He said another recruitment exercise was being planned, with emphasis on teachers in science-related subjects.
Ajanaku explained that some teachers engaged by Parent-Teacher Associations would also be considered in the next recruitment exercise, particularly because of the services they had rendered to the schools.
He said the administration was also working towards establishing an Ondo State College of Education in Ilaje to strengthen teacher training, particularly in science subjects.
On the state government’s much-publicised ‘OUR EASE’ agenda, the commissioner said projects were being spread across the state, although the priorities differed from one local government to another.
He said the government was also taking steps to address the perennial sea incursion threatening Ayetoro and other coastal communities in Ilaje.
Ajanaku disclosed that the state was in discussions with the company that handled the Bar Beach intervention in Lagos, saying an agreement was expected to be concluded before the end of the year.
He said the proposed intervention would involve measures to control the sea incursion as well as sand-filling and modernisation of the affected area to make it attractive to investors.
On the controversy surrounding the large number of political aides recently appointed by the governor, Ajanaku said the appointments were partly aimed at taking governance closer to the grassroots and providing economic relief to beneficiaries.
He explained that the aides were expected to serve as government representatives in the wards and provide information on security, government projects and other developments to the administration.
The commissioner also dismissed claims of a strained relationship between Governor Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami.
He described their relationship as cordial, saying reports concerning an alleged unpaid N180m entertainment allowance for the Deputy Governor’s office had been resolved after it was discovered that the money had already been released.
Ajanaku further denied allegations that the state government was withholding local government funds, insisting that allocations meant for the councils were paid into their respective accounts.
He said the state government only exercised its constitutional supervisory responsibility over local governments, while also supporting councils with additional funding for development projects.
On the 2027 elections, the commissioner said Aiyedatiwa remained committed to the All Progressives Congress and would support the party’s candidates across the state.
He dismissed allegations of anti-party activities against the governor, saying Aiyedatiwa had consistently identified himself as a loyal party member and leader of the APC in Ondo State.
Ajanaku also denied reports of a political feud between Aiyedatiwa and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, describing both men as stakeholders who should work together to strengthen the party.
He urged APC supporters and various support groups in the state to unite behind the governor as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
On efforts to counter misinformation, Ajanaku said the Ministry of Information was developing a technology-based system to monitor and identify fake news circulating in the state.
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He said the ministry was also expanding its communication channels through radio programmes in English, Yoruba, Ilaje and Ijaw to ensure that government policies and programmes reached residents in rural communities.
Ajanaku maintained that the government would continue to use traditional and digital media to provide residents with accurate information about its activities and counter misinformation.
