…From Dele Ogunyemi, Ibadan…
Governor Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has ordered the immediate payment of compensation on the 285 hectares of land acquired by the state government on the new Ibadan-Oyo Expressway.
This was contained in a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday by the Supervising Commissioner for Land and Housing and Survey, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin.
It would be recalled that the land situated at the Akinyele Local Government Area of the state was acquired by the state government for the purpose of building an ultra-modern housing estate as part of the transformation, restoration and repositioning agenda of the Ajimobi administration.
The commissioner, while addressing the affected landowners at a title verification exercise held at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey on Wednesday, commended the claimants for their understanding and cooperation with the state government in its efforts at transforming the state.
According to Dr. Gbadegesin, payment of compensation by government is fundamental in any compulsory acquisition of property for the overriding public interest, hence the arrangement for payment of compensation to the owners of the property in question.
“As a government of the people, the administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi believes in the well-being of the entire citizens of the state and he has directed that compensation be paid immediately to the affected land owners,’’ he said.
The commissioner explained that immediately the verification exercise was completed, the claimants/land owners would be invited to pick up their cheques.