Despite giving the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, their total support against other candidates during the 2023 general election, residents of Fashade; Aba Osho; Igbalefa; Adigbe; Badeku; Akamo; Alase; Ojoku; Dare; Isase; Oleke Meji as well as Ogido, all within Ona Ara local government area have lamented how the state helmsman no longer want to hear the plight again.
They made this submission on Wednesday when government began demolition of hundreds of structures in the affected area.
This was just as they bemoaned the level of destruction which they claimed had reached about 250metres away from the circular road, when the government deployed bulldozers to the area in the early hours of yesterday.
The demolition, which began at Fashade community, on Tuesday, along Circular Road, affects about 12 villages.
Speaking with journalists, a community leader in one of the affected areas, Abdulfatal Amubikan, revealed that “about 500 houses had been demolished.”
“This exercise came to us as a surprise. The governor had, during our peaceful protest to the Secretariat in January, promised that our houses would not be demolished. I was privileged to speak on behalf of others when we went there. We told him about what was posted on our houses by the Ministry of Lands.
“And first, the governor promised that our houses would not be demolished, that we should go back to our various homes. Secondly, he promised to talk to the Commissioner for Lands and get back in three months. That we should just give him (Makinde) three months to work on it, but we should rest assured that the government will not demolish our houses. The government did not wait till three months (April) before it started demolishing our houses.
“We expected that three months to lapse by next month (April) to meet the governor again about his promise. He also promised that the government would compensate affected residents, and since yesterday (Tuesday) till today (Wednesday), about 500 houses have been demolished. And it is still an ongoing exercise”, he lamented.
Usman Ikram, who is another victim, said, “I was not at home when the exercise began. It was one of our neighbours who called me that the government had started demolishing my house. It was a bad experience I never either prayed for or expected in my life. I was crying within myself. Though, I still thank God because He knows everything.
“This situation makes me realise that there is nothing in this life with the huge amount of money I committed to this project. I will still appeal to the government to rethink its decision because we don’t have anywhere to go.”
A 68-year-old widow, Omowumi Akintoye also appealed to the government and governor to help them, adding, “Since I moved here in 2016, nothing has been added. It is still a room I built that I’m still managing with my only child. I never had the opportunity to complete the whole house, because there is no money.”
Other residents, who spoke with PUNCH Online, include Abiodun Adeyemo; Sikiru Adebayo; Folake Balogun; Omolara Babalola; and Akinkunmi Jayeola, among others. They all appealed to Governor Makinde to come to their aid.
“We need to urgently appeal to the Governor of the State, Engr. Seyi Makinde to direct the officials to stop the trend. Whether they halt the process or not, it has already affected me as the Chairman of Ojutola Elewe community. We are appealing to us to come together and appeal to the Governor to stop further action.
“Let’s put heads together and I don’t want commentators here to abuse the government or His Excellency but rather to appeal to the State Government for a way out and possible solutions,” one of them said in a WhatsApp voice note.
Another commentator who did not give his name said, “even if we abuse them from today till tomorrow, the deed has already been done. Despite all the steps we have taken so far, it seems they didn’t listen to our pleas. The 250metres you said they have reached, you can imagine the number of people they have ruined for life?
“This shouldn’t be our portion. We the people of Oyo State and especially Ibadanland voted overwhelmingly for the Governor. We should not because of the enjoyment of few privileged individuals destroy the livelihoods of others especially now that the cost of getting a new land and building material have really skyrocketed.
“God should show all of us His mercy especially those of us affected so far. May God shine His face on us and grant us the grace to overcome this trying moment. It is so sad, painful and heartbreaking,” he added.
Pictures of the destroyed properties were shared on the platform with many of the affected residents lamenting their loss and crying for help.
Contacted, the State Government through the Commissioner for Lands, Housing, Survey and Urban Development, Mr Akin Funmilayo appealed for the understanding of the affected communities, saying the government was concerned about their plights but the overriding public interest necessitated the move.
According to the Commissioner, “the affected houses were built on government’s acquisition of 500 meters around Circular road. And they were given enough notice and the latest was about a month ago.
“A number of them have complied and have even removed their roofs amongst others. Those affected would be compensated as a particular factory was already compensated to the tune of N100million”, the commissioner explained.
He added that the government would always put the interest of the masses at heart and that’s why the densely populated areas around the acquisition areas may be spared but our people must understand that what the government is doing was in their best interest as we cannot afford loss of lives that could be occasioned by avoidable accidents when houses are built within the circular road corridors.
When contacted on the phone, however, the state Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akinfunmilayo, confirmed the ongoing demolition of structures built close to Circular Road.
He clarified that the government acquired 500 metres of space for the road project on both the right and left, adding that landlords with genuine documents would be compensated by the government.
Akinfunmilayo said, “I just enquired from the team that went there, and they said just a little over 50 were touched and some of the residents have even been removing the iron sheets before they got there. Nobody demolished 500 houses. And those buildings touched were ones about 100 to 150 metres from Circular road.
“Those who have genuine papers should come to the secretariat. The government will compensate them. What the government has acquired is 500 metres to the left and right. So, whoever is affected, with genuine papers, will be compensated”, the commissioner assured.
