Oyo State government has released N600 million to compensate property owners affected by the ongoing Circular Road project in Ibadan, the state capital.
The fourth batch of N200 million was released yesterday at the office of Williams Akin-Funmilayo, the commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development.
He promised that the payment of the sum of N1 billion compensation would be completed soon.
“With this exercise, we are gradually approaching the ₦1 billion mark. Today, beneficiaries will receive between ₦3 million and ₦5 million each, with payments to be credited immediately,’’ Akin Fumilayo said.
He explained that the Circular Road corridor was first acquired in 2006 and expanded in 2018 before Makinde assumed office, and it has witnessed all forms of encroachments ever since.
The governor, however, directed that even though the corridor expansion did not occur under his watch, owners of both the legal and illegal structures should be compensated.
The commissioner cautioned beneficiaries against falling victim to fraudsters, stressing that they should report any government official who asks them for kickbacks.
In his address at the event, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, described the project as “ordained by God,” noting that its concept dates back to 2005.
“If you look at it very well, it would appear that this is a project the Lord had ordained because the concept started 20 years ago by former governor Rashidi Ladoja, who incidentally is being coronated as the Olubadan of Ibadanland 20 years after and after which the Circular road has been named after him”, he said.
Representatives of the beneficiaries, Alawiye Adebayo and Iyafin Abigeal Opelopeoluwa, commended Governor Makinde for keeping to his promises and demonstrating compassion in governance.
