…assures affected Circular Road property owners of adequate compensation
The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, has urged property owners affected by the Ibadan Circular Road project to ensure that their properties are properly enumerated and documented to facilitate appropriate compensation by the government.
He noted that the compensation package which is unfolding in phases has seen many affected property owners who were properly enumerated receive adequate compensations.
Lawal gave the charge on Friday at Egbeda Local Government Secretariat, Ibadan, during the official commissioning of the newly constructed Chairman’s Office Building Complex by the Executive Chairman of the council, Sanda Sikiru.
The deputy governor advised affected property owners to cooperate with officials handling the enumeration exercise and provide accurate information about their properties, stressing that proper documentation would help ensure that legitimate claims were adequately captured.
The development comes against the backdrop of the state government’s earlier assurances that property owners affected by the Circular Road project would not be denied adequate compensation.
Westernmirror.com.ng had earlier reported that Governor Seyi Makinde had previously urged affected landowners to work with the New Towns and Cities Development Authority, which he identified as the government’s representative in resolving outstanding issues relating to the project.
He commended Hon. Sanda for his visionary leadership at the grassroots which he said aligns with the foresight that birthed the Ibadan circular road.
He stated that with Egbeda being one of the central local government the circular road encircles, it was inevitable for infrastructural development and investments to follow in due time.
He explained that the newly constructed office will create an enabling environment for local government workers and ensure administrative efficiency in the discharge of their duties.
He also assured that the state government will continue to provide all the needed support for local government administration to thrive in the state while calling on residents to be weary of the political season and negative rhetoric by politicians that do not represent fact.
He urged the people to guard against the temptation of being misguided by politicians who are disguising politics for governance by resorting to political blackmail and endless baseless criticism against Makinde.
Member of Oyo state House of Assembly and Chairman House of Assembly Committee on local government and chieftaincy matters, Hon. Akintunde Olajide, in his goodwill message, commended the deputy governor for the way and manner in which he’s resolving age-long boundary disputes with neighboring states.
Akintunde, who commended Hon. Sanda for the new edifice, reaffirmed the commitment of the state legislature and his committee to effective oversight on local government administration to ensure transparency and accountability.
Speaking at the commissioning, former Minister, Elder Wole Oyelese, described the occasion as a demonstration of achievement, accountability and continuity in leadership, saying it also showed that good governance under the Makinde led administration could be felt at the grassroots.
Earlier in his welcome address, the executive chairman of the Council, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, said the newly constructed Chairman’s Office Building Complex, located within the premises of the Egbeda Local Government Main Secretariat, was fully funded through the council’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
According to him, the project demonstrates the administration’s commitment to prudent financial management, accountability and judicious use of public resources for the benefit of residents.
“When we assumed office, we understood clearly that leadership is not about occupying an office; leadership is about leaving a positive footprint behind,” he said.
Sanda said his administration was driven by the conviction that residents of Egbeda Local Government deserved good governance, quality infrastructure, better opportunities and a government that listens, cares and delivers.
He commended Governor Makinde for what he described as his commitment to grassroots development, saying the governor’s four-point development agenda had provided a roadmap which the council had embraced.
“Your leadership has given us the confidence, direction, and enabling environment to deliver on our responsibilities at the local government level,” he said.
“Your Four Cardinal Points have provided a clear roadmap for development, and here in Egbeda Local Government, we have embraced that vision wholeheartedly.
“We are not merely talking about the dividends of democracy, we are delivering them, taking governance to the people, putting projects on the ground, touching lives, and this is what responsible leadership should be about.”
The chairman also highlighted interventions undertaken by the council in education, healthcare, water, infrastructure and security.
In education, he listed the renovation of classrooms, libraries and principals’ offices; payment of WAEC fees for selected indigent but brilliant students; payment of JAMB forms; and the distribution of 70,000 free exercise books to 77 primary schools.
Other interventions, according to him, included the distribution of free school bags, uniforms and sandals to primary school pupils, printing of compendiums for Common Entrance preparation, as well as scholarships for students of the Technical University and Nursing and Midwifery students.
In the health sector, Sanda said the council had enrolled 250 elderly people and children into the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency’s free medical treatment programme.
He added that the administration had renovated and rehabilitated Primary Health Centres and an aged/staff clinic, while also facilitating a PHC through the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA).
On water and infrastructure, the chairman listed the commissioning of motorised boreholes equipped with generating sets across various wards in the local government.
He said the council had also institutionalised monthly security meetings with relevant security stakeholders, renovated Maku Police Station and constructed offices for the Amotekun security outfit.
Sanda said the projects and interventions were part of his administration’s effort to translate its commitment to grassroots development into tangible projects and services.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to past chairmen of Egbeda Local Government in recognition of their contributions to the development of the council.
Highlight of the event was the special honor in recognition of all past Egbeda Local Government Chairmen.
Some of the past chairmen who have become deceased were represented by their wives and were adequately recognized alongside others present.
Present at the event were the TESCOM Chairman in Oyo state, Pastor Akin Alamu, Chairman of Oyo state local government pension board, Hon. Ademola Ige, Oyo Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) for Oyo Central.