Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde, has addressed residents whose properties were affected by the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road project and its corridor leading to immediate end of the 4 days protest at the state government Secretariat, Ibadan.
Westernmirror.com.ng had earlier reported that leaders of the protesters on Day-3 met with representatives of the state government at the conference room of the Ministry of Lands on Friday, September 20, in a bid to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
The protesters had demanded outright cancellation of the Ibadan circular road corridor citing the 500 meter set back by government with consequential effect resulting to demolition and demolition notice on their properties.
Unsatisfied with the explanation given by the joint submissions of the Commissioners for Works, Professor Dawud Sangodoyin, and Lands, Akinfunmilayo Williams, that no further demolition and marking of buildings would be carried out along the circular road corridor as well, the protesters resumed protest on Monday at the front gate of the State Secretariat, demanding to be addressed by the Governor himself.
Addressing the protesters, Governor Makinde commended them for conducting themselves peacefully and not allowing the protest to degenerate into violence which could cause breach of public peace.
He maintained that contrary to what he described as speculations and misinformation, the administration of former governor, Late Lam Adesina initiated the circular road project with 75m set backs from left and right resulting in a total of 150 meters.
The Governor added that successive administrations under governments Rahidi Ladoja in 2006 and late Senator Abiola Ajimobi adjusted the set back from a total 150 meters to 500 meters in 2018, which his administration was implementing without any addition of a square meter to it.
He assured that he would not be ungrateful to people who have shown him love and affection by returning him to office as Governor for a second term with an unprecedented result stressing that he would continue to place the people’s welfare at the center of all his economic policies and programs.
The Governor therefore announced an immediate no further demolition or marking of properties would be carried out outside of the 150 meters set back.
“I want to thank you because you have not alllwed your grievances to turn to violence. You came here peacefully and I can tell you that this is your government. I don’t have godfather. But I have God the Father and you.
“Let me tell you today that there are few things out there that are misinformation. I go to the Circular Road almost every two weeks and have meet people at the Corridor from Tech-U to Baleko. I stop and engage with them. Those of us running this government are not the most knowledgeable people in the state, and that is why when there are challenges, I like all of us to look at them together and proffer solution.
“Don’t allow anybody politicize this matter. We should engage truthfully, openly and find lasting solution to it.
“Let me talk about the misinformation — I have been on holiday for one month but the day I returned to Ibadan, I went to the Circular Road because while I was away, I was monitoring all the different issues concerning the matter. I met some people at the junction before Olomi, came down from my car and asked them what was going on. They said their houses were part of the ones on the 500metres. The 150 metres was started during the government of late Lam Adesina and the government of Baba Ladoja validated it.
“Now, the 500metres was done in 2018 during the government of the immediate past Governor, Ajimobi, but I came into government in 2019. What I have discovered is that, nobody believed that in their lifetime, the Circular Rosa would happen. We first awarded contract for the bridges and I went there even while they were doing the marking and all that while in the bedroom of some people over there. They were saying the government has been prolonging the project every now and then.
“I have a solution. You see, the mistake committed is the fact that we should not have marked those houses for demolition. Those saying there are over 400 houses in that corridor are lying. If you feel I lied, give us some representatives from your end and some government officials will join you to do the enumeration. There are places where nothing is in the 500 metres and there are places that the 150 metres is densely populated. That is how the matter is.
“For now, there should be no any demolition and I have asked them to put a stop to whatever demolition they are doing. Now, you are saying you want Circular Road but you don’t want corridor. This is your government. Wherever the corridor is densely populated, we will integrate it.
“For the politicians among you, this is not the time to play politics. We don’t have anywhere else to go. We don’t have another state to go. It is a solution that we must all find together.
“I promise you, out of the 500 metres, none of the houses that are standing right there will be demolished but there must be no further development without proper planning along that corridor.
“Whoever has not laid foundation of his house but owns a portion of land in that area and feels he wants to go and start building the house because Circular Road is coming, should not do that. The existing structures would not be demolished. So, don’t think it is my intention to cause harm to you after putting me in this exalted office. I will always look for the welfare and well-being of the people of Oyo State.
“So, appoint some representatives in these communities to sit down with the government and look for a way out. We are doing the Circular Road project so that some of our children can get jobs eventually. We will have industries along the corridor.
“For those who want to use that opportunity to grab the land that does not belong to them, the government will come after you because I know what happened in Ajia. It is these langrabbers that are sponsoring some of the protesters. But for genuine people who have houses there, nobody will demolish your houses outside of the 150 metres corridor.
“Finally, let me tell you again; you own this government and, as the governor, I will always look for your well—being. But the law is also the law. You must be law-abiding.
“Some people also wanted to protest here because they want development. If everybody had met here, we may not be able to control what will happen. Just as you have the right to protest, others have the same right to protest. So, let us do things according to plan. I believe I have been very clear on this.” the Governor concluded.
GSAM IS TRULY PERFECT MAN OF GOD AND PEACE COORDINATED I PRAY THAT DURING HIS TENURE HE WILL NOT FUMBLE AND STUMBLE IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME 🙏 🙏 🙏 HE IS A MAN OF GOD THAT CARES FOR HIS PEOPLES AND HIS GENERATION WILL BE REMEMBER FOR GOOD IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME 🙏🙏🙏 HE HAS BEHAVE LIKE PA AWOLOWO OBAFEMI THAT CARE FOR THEIR PEOPLE. THE LEGACY WILL BE THERE FOR HIM TO BE REMEMBER FOREVER.