The Oyo State Government has commenced the payment of compensation to property owners affected by the ongoing expansion and asphaltic reconstruction of the Ojoo/Akinyele Road.

The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Ibadan.

Mr Akin-Funmilayo explained that Governor Seyi Makinde had mandated the ministry to process the documents of affected property owners without delay.

He stated that while 65 property owners were identified in the first phase, 22 had received their compensation after being cleared.

Others, according to him, are still undergoing clearance by the committee set up for the compensation exercise.

He advised claimants not to pay bribes, noting that the compensation belongs solely to them.

He also urged them to report any ministry official who demands money from them directly to his office.

The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to infrastructural development and fairness to residents impacted by the project.

According to him, development should not bring negative consequences to the public.

He explained that the infrastructure drive was aimed at expanding the state’s economy and positioning it as a business hub among other states.

He added that the ongoing road expansion will, upon completion, significantly boost agricultural businesses and open doors of opportunity for the people.

“With the siting of the inland dry port, the railway station, the new town, and the construction of the Circular Road in the Akinyele axis, the economic growth of the South-West region will be further boosted, as investors can clear their goods at the dry port with ease,” he said.

He solicited the cooperation of property owners in the area, noting that the various development projects would benefit all upon completion. 

(NAN)