Property owners affected by the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road project have called on the Oyo State Government to expedite the payment of compensation to verified victims and address growing concerns over the proposed expansion of the road corridor.
The affected residents, under the aegis of the Circular Road Residents Association, made the demand during a meeting with the representative of Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, Hon. Abimbola Adekanmbi, where they tabled their grievances over the impact of the project on their properties and livelihoods.
Speaking on behalf of the residents, Prince Niyi Fasuyi said the major concern for those affected by Segment One of the project was the delay in payment of compensation, despite the completion of enumeration and verification.
Fasuyi said about N5.8 billion had been approved for compensation in April, but the affected property owners were yet to receive payment
According to him, while those affected in Segment One had completed the necessary verification process, residents whose properties fall within Segment Two were still awaiting verification and had not been informed of the amount of compensation they would be entitled to.
He said the prolonged delay had subjected several affected residents to severe hardship, with some becoming homeless after their properties were affected by the project.
“Some of our members have become homeless. About three months ago, we had to contribute money from our personal pockets to help some aged people in Shogoro community in Akinyele Local Government Area who could no longer afford accommodation’.
He disclosed that members of the association contributed about N300,000 to assist some of the displaced elderly residents with accommodation.
Beyond compensation, Fasuyi said residents were also worried about the proposed expansion of the road corridor, particularly reports of an additional 425 metres being considered beyond the existing 75-metre right-of-way.
He said the marking of houses in some communities had created anxiety among property owners, who were uncertain about whether their properties would eventually be affected.
The association specifically raised concerns about Ido, which Fasuyi described as a densely populated area where many properties already fall within the existing right-of-way.
He appealed to the state government to consider reducing the affected corridor in densely populated areas in order to minimise the number of people who would lose their homes and properties.
Fasuyi, however, stressed that the residents were not opposed to the Circular Road project, which they acknowledged as an important infrastructure project for the state.
Rather, he said, their demand was for government to respect the rights of property owners whose lands and buildings were acquired for the project.
He also cautioned against attempts by politicians to exploit the situation for political purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We are not asking for money. We are asking for what is needed to be done by the law. When government acquires land, compensation is supposed to be paid,” he said.
Fasuyi added that political donations or handouts would not address the fundamental problems facing affected property owners.
“Money cannot solve our problem. It is the government that can solve our problem,” he said.
Adekanmbi promises intervention while responding to the residents, Adekanmbi described the meeting as a candid and constructive engagement, saying the government recognised the concerns arising from the implementation of a project as significant as the Circular Road.
He said the Circular Road remained a laudable developmental project capable of bringing significant economic and infrastructural benefits to Oyo State, but acknowledged that such major projects could also generate challenges for communities and property owners along the route.
Adekanmbi said the government would address the concerns in a manner that preserves the dignity of affected residents.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity to obtain specific information directly from people living in the six local government areas affected by the project, particularly on issues concerning the right-of-way, corridor, documentation, verification and compensation.
According to him, the project has been divided into two segments for the purpose of addressing compensation issues.
He assured the residents that those affected under Segment One, whose properties had already been completely enumerated and verified, would receive their compensation before the expiration of the present administration.
“For Segment One, it has been completely enumerated and verified, and the assurance given was that compensation will be paid before this current government goes out,” Adekanmbi said.
He also promised that verification for affected property owners under Segment Two and other outstanding categories would commence as soon as possible, paving the way for approval and subsequent payment of compensation.
Residents seek clarity on proposed corridor
One of the major issues discussed during the meeting was the proposed expansion of the road corridor beyond the existing 75-metre right-of-way.
Fasuyi said Adekanmbi assured the residents that in densely populated areas, the government would consider avoiding additional acquisition beyond the existing corridor.
He added that where additional land was required in areas with large stretches of undeveloped land, Adekanmbi promised to appeal to Governor Makinde to ensure that affected landowners were appropriately compensated.
The residents also appealed for special consideration for Ido, where they said a large number of buildings already fall within the existing right-of-way.
Fasuyi said Adekanmbi promised to raise the issue with the governor and explore the possibility of reducing the right-of-way in such densely populated areas in order to minimise the number of victims.
I am also affected ,Adekanmbi, in a further attempt to demonstrate his understanding of the residents’ concerns, disclosed that he also has property around Olorunsogo and that part of his land had been affected by the road project.
He said this personal experience had enabled him to better appreciate the concerns being raised by the affected residents.
“I have property and land too at Olorunsogo, and the road actually took part of my land. So I know I am not an academic affected person on this matter. I am from that area; I have land too that fell within the right-of-way,” he said.
He assured the residents that legitimate outstanding issues would not be abandoned at the end of the current administration, stressing that government is a continuum and that subsequent administrations would be expected to fulfil outstanding obligations.
Adekanmbi said he was particularly committed to ensuring that issues arising from developmental projects were handled transparently and respectfully, irrespective of which administration was in power.
At the end of the meeting, the residents appointed Adekanmbi as an ambassador of the Circular Road Residents Association, a gesture he accepted.
The engagement ended with the residents expressing hope that their demands would be conveyed to Governor Makinde and that concrete action would be taken on compensation, verification and the disputed corridor.
For the affected property owners, however, the message remains unequivocal: they support development, but want the government to ensure that those whose properties are acquired for the Circular Road project are treated fairly and compensated in accordance with the law.
