‎Oyo Government Debunks Land-Grabbing Claims Against It Over Ibadan Circular Road, Sets Record Straight

‎Oyo Government Debunks Land-Grabbing Claims Against It Over Ibadan Circular Road, Sets Record Straight
‎
‎The Oyo State Government has dismissed allegations that the ongoing Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project is being used as a means of taking people’s land for personal or political interests, insisting that the project is solely aimed at opening up Ibadan and driving development across the state.
‎
‎The Acting Governor, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, stated this while speaking with journalists during an inspection of the ongoing Phase II of the 110-kilometre circular road project in Ibadan.
‎
‎Lawal said the government is committed to delivering the project as a major infrastructure intervention that would improve connectivity, stimulate investment and accelerate development across six local government areas of the Ibadan metropolis.
‎
‎The affected local government areas are Oluyole, Ido, Egbeda, Ona-Ara, Lagelu and Akinyele.
‎
‎The Acting Governor said the inspection was undertaken to assess the progress and quality of work and ensure that the project was being executed according to approved specifications.
‎
‎He specifically urged residents to disregard what he described as misinformation and allegations surrounding the project, saying the circular road was not designed as a scheme to dispossess residents of their property.
‎
‎“People must know that the circular road is about the development of Oyo State, not the speculation that Governor Seyi Makinde is taking people’s land. I have come to establish the fact that this project is not about taking anybody’s land. It is about the development of this city,” Lawal said.
‎
‎He described the circular road as a mega project capable of transforming the economic landscape of Ibadan, adding that its completion would open up new areas of the metropolis and create opportunities for investment, commerce and social development.
‎
‎“This is still an ongoing project. We are doing a 110-kilometre road, and with dualisation, that’s 220 kilometres. By the grace of God, we will complete it before the exit of this administration,” he said.
‎
‎Lawal disclosed that about 32 kilometres of the dual carriageway had been completed and asphalted, with streetlights and toll gates already installed.
‎
‎He also said the project would connect previously less-developed parts of the metropolis and contribute to the emergence of a more integrated and economically vibrant greater Ibadan.
‎
‎“This is good for development, investment and social cohesion,” the Acting Governor said.
‎
‎On concerns over the acquisition of land for the project, Lawal assured affected landowners that the government had made arrangements to compensate those who had properly registered their claims.
‎
‎He said no portion of land acquired for the project would be left uncompensated, stressing that the government was currently collating the necessary cost figures for the affected properties.
‎
‎According to him, funds for the compensation would be released once the figures had been finalised and submitted.
‎
‎The Acting Governor therefore encouraged residents affected by the project to ensure that their claims were properly registered and documented to facilitate the compensation process.
‎
‎He also called on members of the public to seek accurate information about the project instead of relying on rumours and unverified claims.
‎
‎“It is important for our people to go round and see the project for themselves. It speaks for itself,” he said.
‎
‎Lawal further disclosed that contractors handling the project had assured the government that the 32-kilometre section around Badeku would be completed by the end of September and ready for commissioning.
‎
‎He added that work on the hydraulic bridges had been completed, while clearance was ongoing for the next stage of construction.
‎
‎“The goal is that before the exit of this administration, we would have completed Phase II,” the Acting Governor said.
‎
‎He described the circular road as a world-class project fitted with facilities including lay-bys, toll gates and a medical bay, noting that the infrastructure was designed to serve both present and future generations.
‎
‎‎Lawal was accompanied during the inspection by the Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Hon. Abdul Mojeed Mogbojubola, and other government officials.
‎