Circular Road: Property owners appeal to Makinde for compensation

Landlords and property owners in the Odeyale area of Ona Ara Local Council whose houses were affected by the construction of the Circular Road have appealed to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, to fulfil his promise to compensate them.

They also urged the governor to extend the gesture given to the people of Ajia and other places to them.

The appeal was contained in a letter signed by Dr Opeyemi Olatunji on behalf of concerned landlords and property owners.

In the letter, Olatunji stressed that the people’s experiences during the demolition were gruesome and affected their souls and emotional welfare.

He lamented that several persons died as a result of the development while some who remain are nursing high blood pressure. He added that several families have been separated, while some members have become bedridden.

The letter reads in part: “We, whose houses, properties and land were demolished for the continuous construction of the Novel Ibadan Circular Road, wish to remind the Governor, Government of Oyo State, to kindly remember to honour the promises he made that he would compensate those whose property was affected.

“Your Excellency would recall that major demolition started on February 3, 2024, with many houses affected across the six concerned local councils. Since the demolition, many of those whose homes were demolished have been unable to rent or acquire new accommodation. The poorer ones live on bush paths. Some live in uncompleted buildings, churches, mosques, and schools, particularly the Olorunda Secondary School, Olorunda, and Ona Ara Local Council.

“There are also cases of people who have died, such as the case of Aishat Waheed, a female resident of No. 5, Aba Otun, Idi Ose Axis, Ona Ara LGA. She passed away last week due to complications arising from overexposure to cold temperatures in her temporary, unfinished accommodation, all because her house was bulldozed.”

“There are nearly endless cases of marital separations, divorces, and children stopping school because their parents cannot relocate after the event due to financial restraints.

“In line with the aforementioned, we would like to remind Your Excellency that a speedier payment of the promised compensation would significantly help alleviate the suffering caused by the situation.”

Reacting, the state’s Commissioner for Lands, Housing, Survey, and Urban Development, Akin-Funmilayo Williams, said the government was doing the compensation in phases and that it would soon reach them.