Oyo urges Circular Road protesters to embrace dialogue

The Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development has appealed to protesting residents on the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road corridor to embrace dialogue to address the raging issue.

The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Morohunkola Thomas, appealed in a statement on Tuesday.

Residents of the Circular Road projects have embarked on no fewer than seven days of protest across Ibadan to press home their demand for the Governor Seyi Makinde-led government to reverse the intention to set aside 500metres right and left as the road setback.

The protesting residents demand that the setback should not exceed 75 metres on both sides of the road.

The DG OYMASED said the state government also feels the pain of people affected by the demolition, but noted that development cannot take place if major decisions are not taken.

He appealed to the protesters to sheathe their swords, urging them to consider the long-term benefits of having the Circular Road in the state.

Thomas said, “The Circular road is a major infrastructure project which aims to ease traffic congestion, open new opportunities, improve transportation and enhance the overall quality of life of people across the state.

The long-term socio-economic development of the circular road will soon be felt by all residents of the state, so the people should embrace dialogue and not allow politicians to infiltrate their ranks.”