………… As Poroye Leads Ondo Team to Ghana on Land Reclamation Mission.
FIC Report (Ondo State) – The Atlantic Ocean surge has not been kind to Ayetoro Community, a flourishing theocratic, communal society founded on January 12, 1947.
For decades, the Ilaje coastal community has watched helplessly as the ocean continually erodes land, swallowing homes, displacing families with dashed hope. But a renewed hope is taking shape under Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who has resolved to end the cycle of failed interventions and reclaim the land from the ravaging sea.
Last week, the Governor dispatched a high-powered delegation to Ghana on a fact-finding mission. A move aimed at identifying credible partners for a hitch-free large-scale dredging and land reclamation project in the State’s oil-producing belt.
The three-day mission was led by the Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye acted on the Governor’s directive that only firms with proven expertise, technical capacity and financial wherewithal should handle the proposed Ayetoro Shoreline Protection and Land Reclamation Project.
For years, successive administrations had searched for capable hands to execute this critical project, but hopes were dashed when a previously contracted firm failed to deliver. The Ayetoro coastline continued to recede, leaving the community at the mercy of storm surges and tidal incursions.
Determined not to repeat past mistakes, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s team visited Dredge Masters Ltd (DML), a Ghana-based marine engineering company renowned for its expertise in large-scale reclamation and coastal protection. The delegation assessed the firm’s equipment capacity, technical proficiency, and project record as part of its broader due diligence exercise within and outside Nigeria.
The Ondo State technical team also inspected major environmental and coastal works, including the Prampram Sea Defence, Ningo Dredging and Reclamation Project, and the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant. Strategic meetings were held with key players in the field, among them were Dredge Masters Ltd. and the Jospong Group, led by industrialist Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyapong.
Speaking after the visit, Prince Poroye described the engagement as “an eye-opener,” praising DML’s operational depth, heavy-duty equipment base, and well-structured technical workforce.
“Mr. Governor’s prime concern is to ensure that the devastating menace of sea incursion becomes a thing of the past. He is deeply committed to implementing sustainable solutions that will protect coastal communities, safeguard livelihoods, and restore the confidence of our people who have long suffered from the destructive effects of the ocean surge.” Poroye said.
The OSOPADEC helsman disclosed that the Governor insisted that the contract be awarded only to a highly reputable firm with proven financial and technical competence, stressing that quality delivery, cost-effectivenes, and track records would be non-negotiable.
Prince Poroye recalled that previous efforts by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to find a solution to the perenial sea surge at Aiyetoro had been futile, leaving behind eroded land and disillusioned residents. This time, he assured that the government is determined to get it right.
Drawing lessons from the successful execution of the Alape–Araromi Seaside Road by RCF Nigeria Limited, Prince Poroye emphasized the importance of due diligence, especially when dealing with complex coastal environments.
According to the OSOPADEC Chairman “it behoves us to understand the soil texture, the depth, and the right equipment required with the necessary political will.The goal is not just to reclaim land but to make it durable and build something that can stand the test of time. This is not rocket science; it’s sincerity of purpose guided by technical expertise as it was done in Lagos State coastal areas.” He explained.
The OSOPADEC Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that only contractors with verifiable experience and demonstrable competence are considered for the project. He also hinted that the search for the right partner would continue until the most suitable firm is identified.
For the people of Ayetoro, whose properties and livelihoods have been destroyed by the encroaching sea, Aiyedatiwa’s renewed focus offers a glimmer of hope that this time, the tide might finally turn in their favour.
Signed
Akinbiola Funmilayo
FIC AKURE
10/10/2025
