Olubadan Seeks Construction Of Rail System Along Circular Road

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, has called for the construction of a rail system running parallel to the Circular Road to complement the transportation of goods and materials along the industrial hubs.

The monarch stated this while receiving the Circular Road Stakeholders Engagement Committee, set up by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Oke Aremo Palace to brief him on the committee’s activities and seek his guidance.

The committee is tasked with addressing the grievances of those protesting against the planned 110-kilometre-long road infrastructure corridor.

Olubadan also advised the state government to install weighbridges on the road to ensure they last their design lifespan.

Oba Ladoja, who acknowledged that his administration as Oyo State governor made the original acquisitions of 75 metres to the left and 75 metres to the right of the road, said it paid off compensations to owners of the acquired lands.

He disclosed that he had earlier met with Governor Makinde, who briefed him on the extension of the corridor to 500 meters by the immediate past administration.

The monarch said he advised the governor on exploring a win-win solution to address the grievances of the agitators.

While Oba Ladoja acknowledged that the potential of the Circular Road for the socio-economic development of Ibadan and Oyo State was not in doubt, he emphasised that those whose properties would be impacted by its implementation should be adequately and promptly compensated, taking into account prevailing economic realities.

He pointed out the prevalence of land speculators along the Circular Road axis, urging the operatives of OYNTCDA and other concerned Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to safeguard unsuspecting members of the public against falling victim to their tactics.

Chairman of the committee, Engr. Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem, the Mogaji Adanla of Ibadan, praised the monarch for his foresight in envisioning the Circular Road project and making the first bold move of acquiring land for it, which has culminated in the significant strides being taken by Makinde’s administration to bring it to fruition.

Elaborating on this, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on New Towns and Cities Development, Mrs Mofoluke Adebiyi, stated that the committee has so far visited Oluyole, Ona Ara, Akinyele, and Ido LGAs, while its visits to Egbeda and Lagelu LGAs were scheduled for the same day after the meeting with the Olubadan.

Also speaking, the chairman of Egbeda Local Government Area, who doubles as the vice chairman of the committee, Hon. Sikiru Oyedele Sanda, promised the monarch that his counsel and suggestions would be brought to bear on the committee’s assignment.