Former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Budget and Economic Planning in Osun State, Elder Bisi Ogunkale, has reflected on his stewardship between 2020 and 2022, highlighting a series of infrastructure and community-based interventions facilitated across parts of Aiyedire Local Council of the state.

Ogunkale said his period in office was driven by the need to address basic developmental challenges confronting rural communities, particularly in areas of electricity supply, road infrastructure, water rehabilitation and flood control.

Speaking on projects facilitated during the period, he noted that several interventions were carried out in communities such as Oluponna and Ile Ogbo, with emphasis on improving living conditions and addressing long-standing infrastructure deficits.

Among the projects highlighted by Ogunkale was the facilitation of a 500KVA transformer brought to Oluponna in October 2022.

According to him, the intervention was aimed at improving electricity supply within the community and supporting commercial and residential activities affected by unstable power distribution.

He explained that the transformer installation became necessary following concerns raised by residents and business owners over poor electricity supply in parts of the town.

Ogunkale said: “One of the interventions facilitated during my stewardship was the provision of a 500KVA transformer to Oluponna in October 2022. The objective was to improve power supply and support economic activities within the community.

“Access to stable electricity remains an important factor in community development, especially for traders, artisans, students and small business owners.”

He also referenced the rehabilitation of the Oluponna Mini Dam in October 2022, describing the intervention as part of efforts to revive critical community infrastructure.

According to him, the rehabilitation work was designed to improve the functionality of the dam and address challenges associated with deteriorating water infrastructure within the area.

Ogunkale noted that the intervention was particularly important to residents whose activities depend on access to water resources, especially farmers and local users within the community.

He said: “The rehabilitation of the Oluponna Mini Dam was another important intervention facilitated during that period. The project was intended to restore the usefulness of the dam and improve its relevance to residents and surrounding communities.”

Ogunkale further highlighted the rehabilitation of the Ileeran-Elefon Road, including the construction of the River Enta Bridge and several culverts along the 3.4-kilometre road corridor.

He explained that the project was initiated to improve access and mobility within the affected communities, particularly during the rainy season when movement along the route became difficult.

He stated that the construction of the bridge and culverts was necessary to address water-related disruptions that frequently affected transportation and movement of goods and persons.

He further noted that improving road connectivity remained essential to rural development, particularly in agrarian communities where residents depend heavily on road networks for transportation of farm produce and commercial activities.

“The Ileeran-Elefon road project, which included the construction of River Enta Bridge and several culverts along the 3.4-kilometre stretch, was facilitated to improve movement and accessibility within the area.

“In many rural communities, road infrastructure plays a critical role in economic and social activities. The intervention was aimed at easing transportation challenges and improving connectivity for residents,” Ogunkale said.

On environmental interventions carried out during his stewardship, he stated that river dredging exercises were facilitated in both Oluponna and Ile Ogbo communities.

He explained that the dredging activities were aimed at reducing flooding concerns and improving water flow within affected rivers and waterways, adding that the interventions became necessary due to environmental challenges associated with blocked or poorly maintained waterways in parts of the local council.

Ogunkale described the dredging exercises as significant interventions within Aiyedire Local Council, noting that such activities had not received similar attention for years.

He added: “I also facilitated the dredging of some rivers in Oluponna and Ile Ogbo to address flooding and environmental concerns affecting residents. The intervention was important because maintaining waterways is necessary for flood control and environmental sustainability within rural communities.”

He maintained that the interventions were inspired by the desire to respond to practical needs within underserved communities.

Ogunkale noted that development at the grassroots level requires consistent attention to infrastructure capable of improving the daily lives of residents, stressing that projects relating to electricity, roads, water infrastructure and environmental management remain critical components of sustainable rural development.

Ogunkale added that the interventions facilitated during his tenure could be independently verified within the affected communities, saying the projects remain visible across different parts of Oluponna, Ile Ogbo and surrounding areas in Aiyedire Local Council.

He also called for sustained attention to rural infrastructure and community-based development initiatives, noting that continued investment in local infrastructure would improve economic activities and living conditions within many communities across the state.