Governor Makinde nnounces N513Million Compensation For Ajia Property Owners After Demolition Of Houses
On July 23, SaharaReporters reported that residents of Adepo, Ajia, Ona Ara, Badeku, Aba-Otun, Alago, Origbo, Idi-Ose, Ire-Akari Ogundepo, Aba-Oye, Aba-Ogo, Ariirori, Ayegun, Kusidi, Ana’ye, Olomi-yeye, Orire, Olorun-Toyin called on the state government led by Governor Seyi Makinde to cease the demolition of their properties.
The Oyo State Government on Tuesday announced it has commenced the payment of compensation to owners of the affected properties along the Ajia Inukan LCDA, Ona Ara Local Government corridor in the state.
On July 23, SaharaReporters reported that residents of Adepo, Ajia, Ona Ara, Badeku, Aba-Otun, Alago, Origbo, Idi-Ose, Ire-Akari Ogundepo, Aba-Oye, Aba-Ogo, Ariirori, Ayegun, Kusidi, Ana’ye, Olomi-yeye, Orire, Olorun-Toyin called on the state government led by Governor Seyi Makinde to cease the demolition of their properties.
They accused the Makinde-led administration of attempting to take ownership of their land for the circular road project it is embarking on.
The residents who voiced their opposition in a statement said, “Over the past months, we have witnessed attempts by the Seyi Makinde government to take ownership of our lands for the Circular Road Project with the ongoing demolition spree in our respective communities.
“This is an egregious violation of our rights. The proposed expansion of the road setback from 150m to 500m is the government’s attempt to profit from the land at the expense of local residents. This is an abuse of power and an affront to the rights of our people.”
However, a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on Tuesday, said the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Williams Akin-Funmilayo, held a meeting with the claimants (residents affected by the demolitions) on Monday, where the payment arrangement was discussed.
Oyelade said a total of N513,462,446.50k (N513.4 million) had been earmarked as compensation to the affected claimants.
According to statement, Akin-Funmilayo recalled that the government recently acquired an expanse of land for the construction of Air Force Base, General Hospital and ICT centre.
The said projects will be sited at Ajia in Ona Ara Local Government area.
He said, “In this connection, the Oyo State government has earmarked the sum of Five Hundred and Thirteen Million, Four Hundred and Sixty -Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty-six Naira Fifty Kobo (N513, 462, 446. 50k) as compensation to the affected claimants.
“The compensation, according to Akin-Funmilayo, is a crucial step towards fostering a good relationship between the government and the residents.
“It will be recalled that the Oyo State Government had earlier conducted identification and verification exercises for the property owners along the corridor of the project, after which their properties were valued in preparation for payment of compensation by the State Government.”
“One of the beneficiaries, Mr Adedokun Olalekan, expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, for his empathy towards the people of Oyo State,” the statement partly read.
