The Oyo State Government has disbursed about ₦780 million as compensation to land and property owners affected by the ongoing construction of the Ibadan Circular Road.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing Development, Mr. Akin-Funmilayo Williams, disclosed this to newsmen shortly after presenting cheques to beneficiaries on Wednesday at the conference room of the Ministry.
He explained that a total number of 298 affected properties were captured for monetary compensation.
Of the 298, the commissioner disclosed that 193 affected persons have been duly compensated as they have received their cheques from the state government through the ministry.
According to him, the exercise on Wednesday represents the fourth round of compensation payments for the first segment of the project, out of the four segments that make up the 110km Ibadan Circular Road.
The commissioner said: “In the first segment of the road, a total of 298 property owners and properties were identified as affected.
“Out of this number, we have successfully compensated 193 property owners”
He explained that 105 property owners were yet to receive their payments, pending completion of screening procedures to ascertain and authenticate the genuineness of their identity.
“We are still expecting them to come forward for screening so that we can effect their payment.
“If they show up today, I can guarantee you we will pay some of them immediately,” the commissioner assured.
Williams further clarified that the screening process was designed to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries were compensated.
“The rationale behind the screening is to confirm that the right beneficiaries receive their entitlements,” he stated.
On the financial implication, the commissioner revealed that while the total liability for compensation stands at about ₦988 million, the government has already disbursed ₦780 million.
“We still have some leftover funds in our account to complete the compensation exercise,” he added.
In their separate remarks, some of the beneficiaries including Badmus Kanir and Kolawole Funmi, who spoke with journalists expressed gratitude to the Seyi Makinde led government for fulfilling its promise in due time and prayed for more successful accomplishments in his administration.