The Oyo State Government has disbursed a total of ₦600 million as compensation to property owners affected by the ongoing Circular Road project in Ibadan.
According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the fourth batch of payments, amounting to ₦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 government was committed to completing the ₦1 billion compensation package for affected owners.
“With this exercise, we are gradually approaching the ₦1 billion mark. Today, beneficiaries will receive between ₦3 million and ₦5 million each, with payments to be credited immediately,” Akin Funmilayo stated.
The Commissioner explained that the Circular Road corridor was first acquired in 2006 and expanded in 2018, before Governor Seyi Makinde assumed office.
He added that despite the acquisitions predating the present administration, the governor directed that both legal and illegal structures within the corridor be compensated.
Akin Funmilayo also warned beneficiaries to beware of fraudsters, urging them to report any government official who demands kickbacks before disbursing their entitlements.
Speaking at the event, Oyelade described the Circular Road as a project “ordained by God,” noting that its concept began two decades ago under the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.
“If you look at it very well, it would appear that this is a project the Lord had ordained because the concept started 20 years ago by former Governor, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, who incidentally is being coronated as the Olubadan of Ibadanland 20 years after, and after which the Circular Road has been named,” Oyelade said.
Representatives of the beneficiaries, Alawiye Adebayo and Iyafin Abigeal Opelopeoluwa, expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for keeping his promise and demonstrating compassion in governance.
