Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has promised to gazette a 75-metre setback for built-up areas along the Ibadan Circular Road corridor, assuring affected property owners that disbursement of the N6.7 billion compensation will commence this week.
Makinde gave the assurances on Sunday during an interview on Crossfire Exclusive, hosted by Mayor Isaac Brown on Fresh FM, amid concerns over the road project and its implications for residents and property owners.
“For the built-up area along the Circular Road corridor, I know what they want and I will do it. For the built-up area, we will make it 75m setback and it will be gazetted,” the governor said.
He disclosed that the N6.7 billion compensation would be signed this week, paving the way for payments to begin immediately.
According to him, the compensation exercise is expected to be completed before the end of October.
The announcement comes amid concerns from property owners and residents affected by the project, with attention now focused on the implementation of the proposed setback and the commencement of compensation payments
Recall: Circular Road Demolition Victims Appeal to Makinde
Recall that victims of the demolition of properties along Segments 1 and 2 of the Ibadan Circular Road had appealed to Makinde to ensure that affected families received fair and adequate compensation before the end of his administration.
In a special appeal to the governor, the affected residents and their supporters described the hardship faced by families whose houses and properties were demolished, urging the state government not to forget their plight.
The group called on Makinde to take urgent and concrete steps to ensure that eligible victims were adequately compensated for their losses.
They also expressed concern about the approaching end of the governor’s administration, appealing to him to prioritise the matter and provide relief to affected families.
The victims maintained that their appeal was for a fair hearing, urgent attention and adequate compensation, expressing hope that the governor would respond to their concerns before leaving office.
Makinde Reveals Preferred Ministerial Nominee
In another revelation during the interview, the governor disclosed that he had recommended Bimbo Adekanmbi for a ministerial appointment but that President Bola Tinubu eventually appointed Adebayo Adelabu.
Makinde said he had presented Adekanmbi to the President as his preferred candidate, expressing confidence in his capacity to serve as a minister.
Wike Biggest Beneficiary of G5 Alliance — Makinde
The governor also revisited the political alliance involving the G5 governors, claiming that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was the biggest beneficiary of the arrangement.
According to Makinde, President Tinubu made most of the ministerial appointments, leaving other members of the G5 with limited benefits from the political alliance.
His comments offer further insight into his perspective on the political calculations and outcomes of the G5 alliance, which played a significant role in the political realignments surrounding the 2023 general elections.
