As part of moves to enhance urban development and safeguard public land, Governor Seyi Makinde has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling land grabbing in the state.
The governor stated this while delivering his speech at the 80th birthday anniversary celebration of former governor and Otun Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
The birthday anniversary celebration held at the Ondo Street, Bodija private residence of the Otun Olubadan on Thursday, September 25.
The ceremony witnessed the convergence of the creme de la creme in Oyo state political and traditional landscape including serving senators House of Reps and state Assembly members, socio-cultural groups, and others.
Speaking on the recent protest at the state secretariat by property owners along the corridor of the ongoing Ibadan circular road project, governor Makinde, who fingered land grabbers to have sponsored the protest vowed to chase them out of the state.
The governor outlined his plans to ensure that land intended for public use remains protected from encroachment and exploitation.
Governor Makinde also emphasized that urban development is crucial for the state’s growth and prosperity stressing that the state cannot afford to let land grabbers undermine the developmental strides and progress of the state.
“They said in Oyo State today, I’m the number one land grabber, collecting land that belong to everybody. In fact I was reading it yesterday where someone said the way Seyi is going, may God not let him convert Lekan Salami stadium into an estate.
“The person even said, even the state secretariat is not free in my but we must acknowledge that there has to be development, and if that has to happen, it must follow certain trajectory.
“Wherever there are challenges, I’ll say it again and again, only God enthrones a man, it’s not because we’re wiser or more knowledgeable, so this is an opportunity for me to tell you to engage with us and together we can address the challenges.” Makinde.
Meanwhile, westernmirror.com.ng had earlier reported that property owners along the corridor of Ibadan circular road besieged the state government secretariat to protest against the 500 meter set back by government.
The move led to demolition of buildings along the corridor within the 500 meter set back while other structures were marked for demolition. However the governor has ordered an immediate stop to further markings or demolition while also reverting back to the original 75 meters each to both left and right from the center of the road totalling 150 meters.