Oyo Govt Halts Demolition Beyond 150metres Along Ladoja Ibadan Circular Road

 

The Oyo State Government has directed officials of the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development to halt the marking and demolition of houses situated beyond the 150-metre setback along the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road.

The decision comes as part of ongoing efforts to address the Oyo Govt Halts Demolition Beyond 150metres Along Ladoja Ibadan Circular Road of affected residents, while an enumeration of properties within the corridor is being conducted to ensure adequate compensation.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Mr. Williams Akin-Funmilayo, during a joint press briefing on Friday with the Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Professor Dahud Kehinde Shangodoyin, at the Ministry’s Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan.

Akin-Funmilayo emphasised that Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s administration remains committed to prioritising the welfare of its citizens, denying claims that the governor had extended the setback from 150 metres to 500 metres.

He clarified that no new land acquisitions had been made in the Circular Road corridor since Governor Makinde assumed office in 2019.

He explained that the 150-metre setback on both sides of the road was initially acquired in August 2006 during the administration of Senator Rashidi Ladoja. An additional 350 metres on both sides was acquired and gazetted by the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi in 2018.

“The governor has not acquired a single square metre of land along the Circular Road since 2019,” Akin-Funmilayo stated. “We are simply continuing with what was met on the ground, and we are developing the 150-metre segment for construction.”

He reassured residents that properties within the 150-metre boundary will be preserved, including housing settlements and villages, with no immediate plans for total clearance.

The commissioner also stressed that the current markings of buildings are for enumeration purposes, to assess affected properties for compensation and to prevent further unauthorised construction within the acquired land.

“Our focus now is on stopping new developments and determining the existing structures,” he explained. “The markings do not necessarily indicate demolition; they are part of the process to freeze further development and ensure proper compensation is made to those affected.”

The government, he added, has already started compensating residents whose properties are impacted by the project.

Akin-Funmilayo also instructed that no buildings beyond the 150-metre boundary should be marked or demolished at this time.

“We are taking every step to minimise the impact of the road construction on residents,” he said. “While some buildings will have to go, compensation will be paid fairly, and we are also exploring the option of providing alternate land to those affected.”

Prince Niyi Fasoye, speaking on behalf of the affected residents, expressed hope for more favourable responses from the government as the enumeration and compensation processes unfold.

The government has urged residents to support its efforts, assuring them that the project is being carried out in the public interest and not for personal gain.