The Oyo State Government has commenced payment of compensation to property owners whose buildings were affected by the ongoing expansion and asphaltic reconstruction of the Ojoo/Akinyele road in Ibadan.
Officials said the exercise is part of efforts to ensure that infrastructure development in the state is carried out without unfairly impacting residents whose properties fall within the project corridor.
The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, disclosed this during an interactive session with affected property owners and while supervising the payment process.
A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, explained that the compensation followed government approval aimed at ensuring fairness and transparency in the handling of affected properties.
He noted that the administration was committed to balancing development with the welfare of citizens impacted by such projects.
“No development should bring negative consequences to members of the public, as the development of infrastructure being experienced in the state is aimed at expanding the economy of the state and to make it a business hub among other states,” the statement quoted the commissioner as saying.
He added that the road expansion, when completed, would enhance agricultural business activities and open up economic opportunities in the area.
According to him, “The ongoing road expansion in the area, upon completion, will in no measure boost the agric business and open doors of opportunities for the people with the siting of the inland dry port, railway station, new town and construction of the Circular road.”
He further explained that Governor Seyi Makinde had directed that documentation and processing of affected property owners’ claims be handled promptly without unnecessary delays.
The statement also revealed that a standing committee on verification and compensation, headed by the Executive Assistant on Security to the Governor, retired CP Sunday Babatunde Odukoya, had been established to oversee the process.
Out of 65 property owners identified in the first phase, 22 have already received payment, while others are still undergoing verification.
The government cautioned against bribery, warning claimants to report any official demanding gratification.
Some beneficiaries, including Kayode Adebayo and Alimot Tolulope, expressed gratitude to the state government, describing the compensation as unexpected but welcome.
