The deputy governor of Oyo State, Barrister Bayo Lawal, has dismissed allegations that the ongoing Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project in Ibadan is being used by the state government to acquire people’s land for personal purposes.
Lawal said the project was conceived purely to promote the development of Ibadan and strengthen the state’s economic activities.
The deputy governor stated this during an inspection tour of key legacy projects in Ibadan, including the circular road and the ongoing terminal building at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport.
He was accompanied by the Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Abdul Mojeed Mogbojubola, and the Executive Adviser to the Governor on the New Towns and Cities Development Authority, Mrs Mofoluke Adebiyi.
At the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road, Lawal inspected the section stretching from the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University/Lagos-Ibadan Expressway axis to the Badeku/Ife-Ibadan Expressway axis.
He also inspected the toll gates at both ends of the completed section and the quality of the asphaltic work.
Describing the project as a major infrastructure development, Lawal said the scale of the road required greater public understanding and sensitisation.
“When you talk of circular roads in Ibadan, you are talking of a mega project that this state has not witnessed in a long, long time,” he said.
“I do not know when last, whether in the old Oyo State or the present Oyo State as it is constituted, that a project like this has been done. So, it is very gratifying.”
The deputy governor said the project covered about 110 kilometers, which would amount to approximately 220 kilometres when the dual carriageway configuration was considered.
According to him, about 32 kilometers of the road had been asphalted, translating to 64 kilometers”The of dual carriageway, with streetlights and toll gates provided.
“The circular road is segmented from Tercu end to this place; it is 32 kilometers to Badeku, given to two major contractors, Kremberg and Kopek.
“Up to this point, we have made 32 kilometers of asphaltic, well-paved roads. And when we say 32 kilometers, it is dual, meaning it is 64 kilometers that this administration has so far done.”
Lawal, who expressed confidence that the project would be completed before the end of the present administration, said the government was committed to ensuring that affected property owners were compensated.
He stated that residents whose properties were affected by the project had been directed to register with the Ministry of Lands for compensation.
The deputy governor said, “I have come to establish the fact that this project is not about taking the land of anybody. It is about the development of this city.
“Neither Governor Seyi Makinde is taking the land, nor anybody else in this administration. So, let our people be well assured that the administration is not taking anybody’s land.”
He added that no land acquired for the project would be left uncompensated, provided the affected owners registered appropriately.
“And the assurance, deep assurance that the administration is giving, is that no inch of land acquired through this project will be left uncompensated. All of them will be compensated,” Lawal said.
He urged residents to disregard misinformation about the project and called for increased public enlightenment on its scope and economic benefits.
According to him, “Most of our people around do not even travel on the road, talk less of knowing the extent of the project. We want sensitization. We want better education, instead of people coming around the circular road and showcasing falsehood.”
Lawal said the completed and ongoing sections of the project would significantly improve movement within Ibadan, open up new areas for development and boost economic activities across the metropolis.
The deputy governor thereafter inspected the ongoing construction of the terminal building at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, as part of the assessment tour of legacy projects in the state.