• Oyo State Government begins compensation payments to residents affected by the Ojoo/Akinyele road expansion project
• The compensation exercise is aimed at ensuring fairness during ongoing infrastructure development
• The Government says the road project will boost agriculture, trade, and investment opportunities in the region

The Oyo State Government has started paying compensation to property owners affected by the ongoing expansion and asphaltic reconstruction of the Ojoo/Akinyele road in Ibadan.

The move is part of the state government’s effort to ensure that residents impacted by major infrastructure projects are treated fairly while development continues across the state.

Speaking during an interactive session with affected residents and officials overseeing the payment exercise, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, said the government remained committed to balancing development with the welfare of citizens.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, the compensation exercise followed government approval aimed at ensuring that no affected resident suffers unfair treatment during the execution of public projects.

Akin-Funmilayo stated, “No development should bring negative consequences to the members of the public,” adding that the state’s ongoing infrastructure drive is designed to expand the economy and position Oyo as a major business hub.

He explained that the Ojoo/Akinyele road expansion would significantly improve agricultural business activities and create new economic opportunities through projects such as the inland dry port, railway station, new town development, and the Circular Road initiative.

“The ongoing road expansion in the area, upon completion, will in no measure boost the agric business and open doors of opportunities for the people,” he said, noting that investors would also benefit from easier access to clear goods through the proposed dry port.

The commissioner further disclosed that Governor Seyi Makinde had directed the ministry to ensure prompt processing of documents belonging to affected property owners to avoid unnecessary delays.

As part of the process, the government inaugurated a standing committee on verification and compensation headed by the Executive Assistant on Security to the Governor, retired CP Sunday Babatunde Odukoya.

The statement revealed that 65 property owners were identified during the first phase of the exercise.

So far, 22 beneficiaries have been verified and compensated, while the remaining claims are still undergoing verification.

The government also warned claimants against offering bribes to officials, stressing that anyone asked to provide gratification should immediately report such demands to the commissioner’s office.

Some beneficiaries, including Kayode Adebayo and Alimot Tolulope, expressed gratitude to the government, describing the compensation payments as unexpected but timely.

Top officials present during the exercise included the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Hakim Audu, alongside other senior directors.

Oyo State approves N15 billion for rehabilitation of Bodija, Molete, and Agodi roads in Ibadan

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Oyo State Government committed over N15 billion to rehabilitating and improving the asphalt on Bodija, Molete, and Agodi roads in Ibadan.

The Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, shared details about the newly approved road projects, emphasising the government’s focus on improving road networks in residential and busy areas.