Circular Road: Oyo Govt, Land Owners Hold Inaugural Meeting To Resolve Grievances

The Oyo State government and representatives of communities affected by the proposed Ibadan Circular Road on Friday held the inaugural meeting of the Circular Road Stakeholders Engagement Committee.

The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority (OYNTCDA), followed Governor Seyi Makinde’s directive during an earlier engagement with protesting residents at Ologuneru in September.

The committee, an ad-hoc body set up to harmonise concerns on the project, was mandated to review grievances raised by affected residents and propose workable, mutually beneficial solutions.

Government representatives on the committee included the executive chairmen of the six local governments along the project corridor – Oluyole, Ona Ara, Egbeda, Lagelu, Akinyele, and Ido – alongside prominent Ibadan Mogajis, officials from the ministries of lands, housing and urban development; works and public infrastructure; justice; the office of the surveyor-general; and OYNTCDA management.

The affected communities, originally expected to present a 10-member team, eventually secured approval for 14 representatives following disagreements over submitted lists.

During the meeting, the community team presented a memorandum outlining four major requests.

The government team received the document and pledged to study it thoroughly.

Chairman of the government sub-committee, Mogaji Abduljelyl Adekunle Kareem (Mogaji Adanla), assured that the committee would work collaboratively to achieve peaceful resolutions, stressing that Governor Makinde remains committed to the welfare of residents.

Also present were Mogaji Olawale Oladoja, Mogaji Adewale Badmus, and representatives of related ministries and agencies. The OYNTCDA management hosted the session.

The meeting marks a key step in reconciling government plans with community concerns as the state pushes forward with the Circular Road project.