The Management of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has clarified the misleading reports circulating in some sections of the media alleging that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing the Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Olabiyi, Olaleye Poroye, over contracts and projects awarded by the Commission since 2018.
The position of the Commission over the matter was made available to the Press by the Information Director of the commission who said the invitation by the Anti graft body has nothing to do with Prince Poroye whose is the current Executive Chairman of OSOPADEC.
The Commission noted that the chairman is not under any investigations sayong it is mischievous and misleading to attempt to link the current Chairman to matters that predate his tenure.
The Statement Reads:
” For the avoidance of doubt, the invitation from the EFCC has nothing to do with the person of Prince Biyi Poroye but rather with his new office as the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of OSOPADEC. Barely a week after assuming duties, one of the administrative burdens that came before him was a long-standing investigation into petitions covering the period from 2018 till date; years before he was sworn in.
It is important to emphasize that this investigation has been in progress prior to Poroye’s appointment, and responses have already been made accordingly. As the Holy Bible says, “neither the sons have committed any crimes,” it is therefore mischievous and misleading to attempt to link the current Chairman to matters that predate his tenure.
Since assumption of office, Prince Poroye has been confronted with numerous challenges which require immediate attention and restructuring if OSOPADEC must deliver on its core mandate. He and his team are committed to the faithful implementation of the amended OSOPADEC laws, the bedrock of the Commission’s operations, anchored on proper bureaucratic principles.
OSOPADEC is not a conventional ministry where bureaucracy slows down development. It is an interventionist agency designed to respond to emergencies in the mandate areas, and as such, activities must be fast-tracked.
In less than three months in office, Prince Poroye has demonstrated uncommon readiness to perform. He has concentrated efforts on abandoned projects running into billions of naira, with the Governor’s directive to complete them for the benefit of the people, regardless of the original contractors. He has embarked on familiarization tours, engaged key stakeholders, resolved litigations through alternative means thereby saving the Commission millions of naira, and reached out to other interventionist agencies to attract funds and support.
Under his leadership, OSOPADEC has also commenced payment of bursaries and scholarships, disbursed grants to the aged and vulnerable, initiated staff trainings and capacity-building programmes, improved staff welfare and working conditions, and introduced creative concepts to reposition the Commission for greater service delivery.
No amount of blackmail, systematic manipulation and misinformation can distract or slow down Prince Poroye. His spirit to perform remains high, his willpower is active, and his capacity to navigate distractions is visible. Backed by the strong leadership support of Mr. Governor, he remains firmly focused on delivering the Commission’s mandate to the good people of Ondo State.
