Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the disbursement of ₦4.6 billion as compensation to property owners affected by the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road project, with beneficiaries expected to begin receiving payment alerts on Saturday.
The governor also reassured residents and property owners within the 75-metre setback in built-up areas that the ongoing road project would not affect their properties, urging them to continue their normal lives and businesses without fear of displacement.
Makinde gave the assurances on Friday while addressing affected property owners at the Odeyale axis of the Ibadan Circular Road, where he reiterated his administration’s commitment to addressing their concerns and resolving issues surrounding the project.
He explained that the compensation fund was ready for disbursement but said he decided to personally meet with the affected property owners before payments commenced.
“₦4.6 billion is ready for disbursement in compensation, but I just want to personally meet you before you start to receive your money.
“Please, when you receive your money, endeavour to tell everyone that you have received it,” the governor said.
Makinde urged the property owners to remain calm, assuring them that his administration was mindful of their interests and would not deliberately subject them to hardship in the course of executing the infrastructure project.
He also appealed to residents to shun actions capable of breaching public peace, stressing the need for cooperation and understanding between the government and affected communities.
Speaking on behalf of the affected property owners, the Chairmen of Segments One and Two, Mr Jimoh Ahmed and Mr Kayode Oyejobi, respectively, expressed appreciation to the governor for the intervention.
They described the compensation arrangement as a positive response to their concerns, saying it had addressed their grievances and helped ease the tension that had characterised their relationship with the state government over the project.
The two representatives also pledged to mobilise their members to publicise the governor’s intervention through visits to markets and media organisations, promising to inform the public about the government’s response to their concerns.
Earlier, before the governor’s arrival, some property owners gathered at the Odeyale area had alleged that individuals sponsored by political interests had infiltrated their ranks to create disagreement between them and the state government.
The situation reportedly became tense when a young man was allegedly seen attempting to persuade some members of the group not to give the governor a warm reception upon his arrival.
The development generated reactions among some of the property owners, with several expressing concern over what they described as an attempt to create division within their ranks.
Some subsequently called on the government to investigate individuals allegedly working to undermine the relationship between the affected communities and the state government.