Property owners affected by the construction of the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road have lauded Oyo State government for commencing the payment of the first tranche of compensation to landowners in Ajota-Alaago axis of the project.
Reacting to the payment of compensations, some of the property owners in their separate responses, hailed Governor Seyi Makinde for keeping to his words that compensation would be paid to affected property owners.
One of them, Elder Ayoade Joel, noted that he was in distress over the loss of his property to the project, but Makinde had made him happy.
He said, “Before now, I was totally in distress but today, the government of Seyi Makinde is making me happy.
“This is because he promised us and he has fulfilled his promise. I pray that God will continue to be with him.
“I want to charge others who are affected to remain calm, because I am sure those who are yet to be compensated would be reached out to. Very soon, it will be their own turn.”
Similarly, Mrs Omolara Asiata from Aba-Otun, noted that what the government did was exemplary, adding that she was grateful that the governor has brought comfort to the affected people.
“What the governor has done for us is exemplary and we appreciate it. When I heard about the demolition, I felt very sad and thought no help would locate us soon. But now, we are grateful that he is giving us comfort. I am now happy because he has restored happiness,” she said.
In the same vein, Mr Ismail Bada, also a property owner on the axis, said, “We are here to receive the compensation for our demolished properties.
We agreed that if the government wants to develop the city, there would be demolitions but the government should have a structure on the ground to take care of those who would lose properties.
“The interesting thing about this is that we have had past governments, but the government of Governor Makinde is different. He talked about compensation and he is fulfilling it.”
Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, declared that the state government had begun the payment of over N264 million to the first set of people affected by the project, noting that others would also be called upon soon, as the payment is being made in tranches.
The commissioner, who stated this while addressing some of the beneficiaries at the Ministry of Lands, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, said Governor Seyi Makinde had planned to compensate those affected by the Ibadan Circular Road Project way before the affected property owners embarked on a protest.
