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Tag: Ibadan Circular Road Project

  • Adelabu offers financial relief to victims of Ibadan Circular road project

    Adelabu offers financial relief to victims of Ibadan Circular road project

    The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has extended financial assistance to residents whose properties were affected by the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road project initiated by the Oyo State Government.

    Adelabu, a 2027 governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the intervention was aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by displaced residents.

    The demolition exercise has generated widespread public outcry among property owners whose structures were either demolished or marked for demolition within the 500-metre buffer zone on both sides of the 113-kilometre project corridor.

    Speaking in Ibadan during an interactive session with the affected residents, Adelabu emphasised that his gesture was purely humanitarian and not politically motivated.

    He said: “We are one family in Ibadan. I am a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Oyo State. This is not about politics; it is about restoring hope and easing the pain of our people.”

    The Minister announced a donation of ₦25 million as the first phase of his intervention to help affected residents secure temporary accommodation.

    “For this initial phase, I am donating ₦25 million so that some of you can rent temporary apartments. I believe this will provide immediate relief while longer-term solutions are explored.”

    Adelabu expressed deep sympathy for those who lost their lives or sustained injuries during the demolition exercise.

    “Yes, we all desire development that brings progress to Ibadan and Oyo State. However, it must not come at the expense of human lives and welfare. Every development project should have a human face. Progress that disregards people’s well-being ceases to be development.”

    He further cautioned against arbitrary demolitions that displace families and render them homeless.

    “Government exists to serve the people, not to inflict pain on them. A road corridor can be established, but it must be done responsibly and with compassion.”

    Baale of Asanke Village, Chief Sule Asanke, appealed to the Minister to intervene by engaging Governor Seyi Makinde to halt the demolitions.

    “We are deeply hurt that our land has been taken from us, allegedly to be sold to private individuals,” he lamented.

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    One of the affected residents, Mrs. Modinat, tearfully narrated how her property was demolished and appealed to the Minister to intercede on their behalf.

    In response, Adelabu pledged to explore all available channels, both at the federal and state levels to ensure that justice and fairness prevail. 

    He also promised to engaged Governor Makinde, whom he described as a friend and brother, to seek a balanced and compassionate resolution.

    He urged residents to remain law-abiding and peaceful in their protests.

    “Do not take the law into your hands. All demonstrations must be peaceful and within the bounds of the law. While government authority is supreme, it must always operate with empathy and respect for human dignity.”

  • Ibadan Circular Road Project: Residents issue seven days ultimatum to government

    Ibadan Circular Road Project: Residents issue seven days ultimatum to government

    Residents affected by the Ibadan Circular Road Corridor project have given seven days ultimatum to the state government to stop its planned demolition of their structures or face mass protest that may shut down the capital city.

    The affected residents, comprising six local governments, accused the state government of land grabbing, unlawful displacement and deliberate oppression under the guise of expanding Ibadan Circular Road project.

    The affected residents, drawn from Akinyele, Ona Ara, Ido, Lagelu, Oluyole, and Egbeda local governments, promised to resist what they described as “reckless abuse of power” and deliberate plot to cause hardship, pains and agony to the affected residents.

    The residents, under the aegis of Corridor Residents of Ibadan Circular Road, issued the warning in a communiqué presented at a news conference held yesterday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

    The communiqué, signed by Prince Adeniyi Fasoye (convener) and Isiaq Jimoh (secretary), was presented by Mr. Tayo Oladosu.

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    The residents said the news conference was called as a result of the recent effort of the government, who through its officials, had begun pasting demolition notices on their buildings, against the initial assurance by Governor Seyi Makinde, who last year September promised the residents that no building would be demolished.

    They accused the officials of marking additional 850 metres of land across several communities under the guise of road expansion, alleging that the expansion of the Ibadan Circular Road project by the administration of Governor Makinde violated due process and constitutional provisions.

    According to the communiqué, the Ibadan Circular Road project, now officially known as Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Circular Road, was lawfully initiated in 2005 under the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who acquired the land through proper constitutional and legal processes for overriding public interest.

    They explained that at the time, “the land owners and the occupants of the demarcated proposed 75 metres (right and left) were consulted” and that “the land was pillared after adequate measurements of 75 metres from the midpoint were taken.”

    The residents said compensation was paid to some landowners during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, though the process was not completed.

    “The compensation to date has not been completed, as there are about N80million yet to be paid to the land owners and occupants as of the time of acquiring the land legally,” the communiqué said.

    The residents expressed outrage that the current administration under Governor Makinde had, without due process, expanded the legally-acquired 75 metres on each side to 500 metres, alleging that the move violated constitutional provisions.

    The people called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Assembly,  Olubadan of Ibadanland, and his council as well as other well-meaning individuals to prevail on the governor to shelve the idea of the expansion of the corridor.