The Oyo State Government has disbursed ₦600 million as compensation to property owners affected by the ongoing Circular Road project in Ibadan.
The fourth tranche of ₦200 million was released on Thursday at the office of the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Williams Akin Funmilayo. He assured that the full ₦1 billion compensation package would soon be completed.
“With this exercise, we are gradually approaching the ₦1 billion mark. Today, beneficiaries will receive between ₦3 million and ₦5 million each, with payments credited immediately,” Akin Funmilayo stated.
The Commissioner explained that the Circular Road corridor was first acquired in 2006 and expanded in 2018, prior to Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, and had since witnessed various encroachments.
Despite the fact that the expansion did not occur under his tenure, Governor Makinde directed that both legal and illegal property owners within the corridor should be compensated.
Akin Funmilayo cautioned beneficiaries against falling prey to fraudsters, urging them to report any government official demanding kickbacks.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, described the project as one “ordained by God,” noting that its concept dates back to 2005.
“If you look at it very well, it would appear that this is a project the Lord had ordained. The concept started 20 years ago by former Governor, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, who incidentally is now being coronated as the Olubadan of Ibadanland—after whom the Circular Road has been named,” Oyelade remarked.
Representatives of the beneficiaries, Alawiye Adebayo and Iyafin Abigeal Opelopeoluwa, commended Governor Makinde for keeping to his promises and demonstrating compassion in governance.
