Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the governor of Oyo State has assured residents whose property will be demolished as a result of the current road construction and expansion across the state that they will be adequately compensated.
The governor gave the assurance, on Tuesday, in Ibadan, in an address to market women and residents along Beere, Orita-Merin, Agbeni-Ogunpa road, which he said would be expanded to ease the perennial traffic congestion in the area.
The latest project is in addition to the ongoing dualisation of Idi-Ape-Akobo-Odogbo Barracks Road; dualisation of Agodi-Gate-Old Ife-Adegbayi Road, with spur to Alakia-Ibadan Airport; as well as dualisation of Saki township road, in Oke Ogun Area of the state.
The state government had also recently approved the reconstruction of 10-km Eleyele-Akufo; rehabilitation of Akufo junction-Eruwa Road; and expansion of Oke-Adu-Agodi-Gate-Idi-Ape- Iwo Road interchange.
These projects are being financed through a mixed bag of the Federal Government’s infrastructure development loan, internally-generated revenue sources and contractor funding.
Assuring the elated traders that the construction works would begin in April, the governor explained that the strategic location of Agbeni market and its important as an economic hub of the state had made it imperative for the government to embark on the project.
The governor vowed that similar consideration would be extended to other markets and locations across the state in what he called the sustained road revolution agenda of his administration.
Allaying the fears of the people that the newest project might be abandoned, Ajimobi stressed that the state government had already secured a bond to finance the project from the beginning to the end.
He said “By next month (April), we are starting the expansion of this road from Agodi-Gate straight to Dugbe to enhance commercial activities and end traders’ penchant for displaying of wares on the roads.
“I’m confident that the expansion will boost your sales and open up the markets along the road to more people to engage in buying and selling. It is all for your good. We have secured a bond as financial support to execute the project.
“From the joy I can in your faces, I’m happy that we have made the right decision in choosing this project. We will always embark on people-oriented projects, which we are sure will always bring relief to our people.
“Let me assure people in other areas that the government has not neglected them. As soon as the state finances improve, we will move to another area. The road revolution agenda of our administration is unstoppable.”
The governor allayed the fears of owners of structures like filling stations and commercial buildings that would be demolished to pave the way for the expansion work, assuring them that they would be compensated.
He said it was natural that such people would not be happy about the development, but reminded the people that nowhere in the world would such road construction take place without some property being pulled down.
Ajimobi said, “We must consider the interest of the majority who will benefit from the project. I can only appeal to our people to consider the loss of their property as a sacrifice. But, I want to say again that they will be compensated.
“Count the number of people that will gain from this project as skilled and unskilled workers, much less of road users that will have smooth passage after the road has been completed.”
Packaged by Oyedapo Oyewole
