By Ade Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission has begun a large-scale clearing of water hyacinths and other invasive weeds across major waterways in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas to ease transportation and stimulate economic activities in the riverine communities.
The exercise, being carried out by the Ondo State Government through OSOPADEC, is designed to restore access to waterways, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and reduce the difficulties faced by residents who rely heavily on water transportation.
The commission disclosed this in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Corporate Affairs, Godson Ewata, describing the intervention as part of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s efforts to tackle environmental challenges and improve the living conditions of residents in coastal communities.
Ilaje and Ese-Odo are characterised by extensive networks of rivers, creeks, canals and lakes, making waterways the primary means of transportation for residents, traders and service providers.
However, the spread of water hyacinths, water mimosa, aquatic grasses and other invasive plants has increasingly obstructed navigation, disrupted commercial activities and made movement across the communities difficult.
The clearing operation, being supervised under the leadership of OSOPADEC Chairman, Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, covers several major waterways in the two local government areas.
The affected routes include Alape River; Imoluwa-Igbogunrin-Mahintedo; Oropo-Ibila-Ita-Ayelala; Enikorogha-Sabomi-Igbotu; and Igbobini-Ojuala-Ipoke-Igbekebo waterways.
Others are Arogbo-Pankumo-Agbedigbaran-Pelebosun-Jerebeni, Fiyebrasintei-Agwuori-Ogidigba and Dibigbini-Awodikuro waterways, as well as adjoining tributaries and creeks.
Poroye reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to improving the socio-economic conditions of communities within its mandate through impactful projects, critical infrastructure and interventions aimed at addressing the needs of residents.
He said OSOPADEC would continue to tackle challenges affecting Ilaje and Ese-Odo, particularly in transportation, infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.
The commission also called on boat operators, traders and community leaders to cooperate with the teams carrying out the exercise to ensure its smooth implementation.
It expressed confidence that clearing the waterways would improve mobility, encourage commercial activities and enhance the overall well-being of residents across the affected riverine communities.
