Oyo begins compensating property owners affected by Ojoo road project

The Oyo State Government has commenced payment of compensation to property owners affected by the ongoing expansion and asphaltic reconstruction of the Ojoo/Akinyele road in Ibadan.

The government said the exercise was part of efforts to balance infrastructure development with fairness to residents impacted by the project.

The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, disclosed this during an interactive session with affected property owners and the payment exercise.

A statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, said the compensation process followed government approval to ensure that no resident is unfairly treated in the course of development projects.

He said, “No development should bring negative consequences to the 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 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, which will further boost the economic growth of the south-west region as investors can clear their goods at the dry port with ease.

The state Governor, Seyi Makinde, has mandated the ministry to always process the documents of the affected property owners without any delay.”

It said a standing committee on verification and compensation had been set up, headed by the Executive Assistant on Security to the Governor, retired CP Sunday Babatunde Odukoya.

According to the statement, 65 property owners have been identified in the first phase of the exercise, out of which 22 have been cleared and paid, while others are still undergoing verification.

The government also cautioned claimants against offering bribes, warning that any official demanding gratification should be reported to the commissioner’s office.

Some of the beneficiaries, Kayode Adebayo and Alimot Tolulope, expressed appreciation to the state government, describing the compensation as unexpected.

Officials present at the event included the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Hakim Audu, and other directors.