The Oyo State Government has disbursed over ₦5.35 billion in compensation to 578 property owners affected by the first segment of the Ibadan Circular Road project, as the state government continues its payment exercise.
Circular Road: The ₦3.35Bn compensation to property owners
The update on compensation was disclosed by the Executive Adviser (New Towns and Cities) to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, Mrs Mofoluke Adebiyi, while providing an update on the ongoing compensation exercise.
According to her, the beneficiaries comprise property owners under two categories: Right of Way (RoW) and Omission, with the payments covering individuals whose properties were affected by the construction of the road.
The first segment of the Ibadan Circular Road stretched over 32.2 kilometres, beginning from the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University axis along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Oluyole Local Government Area.
It passed through Ona Ara Local Government Area and terminated at the Badeku Junction on the Ibadan-Ife Expressway in Egbeda Local Government Area.
Under the Right of Way category, which covered properties located within 75 metres on either side of the road median, the government initially identified 674 structures for compensation.
It stated that Governor Makinde approved ₦3.86 billion for compensation under this category, following his decision to reduce the initial 150-metre setback to 75 metres in the densely populated and built-up areas after residents raised concerns over the project.
Of the affected property owners, 411 claimants have appeared before the screening committee, while 378 have completed the necessary documentation, executed their Deeds of Indemnity and received their compensation.
The government also addressed complaints from property owners who alleged that their buildings were affected by the project but were not captured during the initial enumeration exercise.
Adebiyi explained that such individuals were classified under the Omission category, prompting a fresh enumeration exercise.
The fresh exercise was conducted by the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and the Office of the Surveyor-General.
The exercise identified 251 affected structures, for which the governor approved ₦1.81 billion in compensation.
Adebiyi disclosed that 216 property owners under this category had appeared before the Monitoring Team on Payment of Compensation Screening Committee, while 200 had completed the required documentation and received a total of ₦1.49 billion.
Despite the payments, the government acknowledged that the compensation exercise was yet to be concluded, with several claimants still expected to complete the necessary screening and documentation processes.
Update also revealed that 263 claimants under the Right of Way category and another 35 under the Omission category were yet to appear before the screening committee.
She also disclosed that 16 payment transactions were unsuccessful due to discrepancies between the names provided by some claimants during screening and the bank account details submitted.
She said efforts were ongoing to resolve the discrepancies and ensure that the affected beneficiaries received their payments.
The governor’s aide maintained that the compensation exercise had been conducted transparently and without favouritism.
She assured eligible property owners that the government would continue to process their claims in accordance with established procedures.
She also restated the commitment of the government to delivering the Circular Road project and ensure that residents whose properties were affected received appropriate compensation.
