The Oyo State Government has commenced the payment of compensation to property owners affected by the expansion and asphalt reconstruction of the Ojoo/Akinyele Road in the Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.
During an interactive session and payment of compensation to the affected claimants, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin- Funmilayo, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to infrastructural development and fairness to residents impacted by the project.
The Commissioner explained that no development should bring negative consequences to members of the public, as the development of infrastructure being experienced in the state is aimed at expanding the economy of the state and making it a business hub among other states.
Akin-Funmilayo said upon completion, the ongoing road expansion would, in no small measure, boost agric business and open doors of opportunities for the people, noting that the siting of the Inland Dry Port, Railway Station, New Town and construction of the Circular Road will further boost the economic growth of the Southwest region as investors can clear their goods at the Dry Port with ease.
He disclosed that Governor Seyi Makinde has mandated the ministry to always process the documents of affected property owners without any delay, a directive he said was followed with the establishment of a Standing Committee on verification of the affected claimants for compensation payments.
The Commissioner revealed that the committee, headed by the Executive Assistant on Security to the Governor, CP Sunday Odukoya (Rtd), has identified a total of 65 property owners in the first phase, cleared 22 claimants who have received their compensation, while others are still in the clearance process by the committee, noting that as soon as the committee clears a claimant, payment follows.
He urged the claimants not to bribe anyone out of the money as it is solely for them, saying any Ministry official who demands payment from them should be reported directly to his office.
Akin-Funmilayo, however, solicited the cooperation of the property and land owners to see the various developmental projects ongoing in the area as benefits for all upon completion.
Speaking on behalf of the claimants, Mr Kayode Adebayo and Mrs Oseni Alimot Tolulope appreciated the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde for the gesture, saying the compensation came as a surprise to them.
Present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Hakim Audu, directors in the Ministry and other stakeholders.
The project is the expansion of the asphalt reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Ojoo Interchange/IITA, Moniya Junction/Akinyele Interchange, with the spur to the new Oyo Expressway.
