By Peter Omopo
The Oyo State Government has disbursed another ₦200 million as compensation to property owners affected by the Circular Road project in Ibadan, bringing total payments so far to ₦600 million out of the ₦1 billion earmarked for the scheme.
The fourth tranche was paid on Thursday at the office of the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, said beneficiaries received between ₦3 million and ₦5 million each, with funds credited immediately.
“With this exercise, we are gradually approaching the ₦1 billion mark,” Oyelade stated, assuring that the remaining compensation would be settled soon.
He explained that while the Circular Road corridor was first acquired in 2006 and expanded in 2018, Governor Seyi Makinde insisted that even owners of illegal structures be compensated.
Warning beneficiaries against extortion, Oyelade urged them to report any official who demands kickbacks.
Describing the project as “ordained by God,” he recalled that the idea was first conceived under former Governor Rashidi Ladoja in 2005. “Today, 20 years later, as Ladoja is being coronated Olubadan, the Circular Road has been named in his honour,” he said.
Representatives of the beneficiaries, Alawiye Adebayo and Abigeal Opelopeoluwa, praised Makinde for keeping his word and showing compassion in governance.
