Ibadan Circular Road Setback: Show Mercy To Over 6,000 Poor Residents | Ademola ‘Bablow’ Babalola

Some say the idea was Late Lam Adesina’s creation while others believe it was Sen Adewolu Ladoja that first proposed the road project. Notwithstanding the controversy, one thing no one can dispute is the fact that the template on which the project would stand was designed by Ladoja’s administration. And that the project received no significant attention until Late Abiola Ajimobi’s administration took a step to award the road project to a construction company known as ENL Consortium Limited.

The project was established as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) under a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement under Ajimobi’s administration. And precisely in June 2017, Ajimobi flagged off the construction of the circular road which was estimated to cost about N67 billion for the construction of 32km section of the road apart from N11 billion earmarked for bush clearing and all earthworks of the entire 32km.

It was learnt that the circular road project was agreed to be financed through a facility sourced from the Nexim Bank of China by the construction company. This meant that the road project was at no cost to Oyo State Government under Ajimobi’s administration. The road would be under the company for 25 years, and would be handed over to the state government after the agreed period. But unfortunately the change of power from APC Ajimobi-led administration to the PDP under Gov Seyi Makinde reversed the trend of the road project.

When Gov. Makinde entered the scene, there were accusations and counter accusations between the state government and ENL Consortium over slow pace of work on the project. The state government claimed that the percentage of work that could be seen on site was not encouraging. But the ENL responded by citing the governor’s failure to fulfill his promise of providing a Letter of Assurance of Continuity. And amidst the back and forth, the governor invited another construction company and new agreement was entered into.

The former construction company, ENL, was sacked by Makinde and the entire 110km Circular Road was re-awarded to SEL-VYDRA consortium for a shocking amount of N138.2 billion. Makinde promised that 75km of the road project would be completed before the end of his first term but as of May 29 2023, the promise of completing the targeted 75km could not be fulfilled.

Along the line, suspicious dealings started to emerge. The credentials of the new construction company and also the transparency of the award process were reported to be hidden in the dark. The competency of SEL-VYDRY was claimed to be in doubt. It was reported that SEL-VYDRY was registered two months before it was granted the contract, a move that contravened and failed to comply with Section 8 of the Oyo State Procurement Law (2010). Besides, neither of the two companies within the consortium (STILL EARTH CAPITAL FINANCE Limited and VYDRA) had involved in the road construction of this great extent.

In addition to the above allegation,  the financial aspect of the project was also reported to be shrouded in secrecy. The 20% stake of the entire project – regarding the agreement between the state government and the companies – that belonged to the state government amounted to N27.6 billion. But budgetary details showed different figures. The approved 2021 supplementary budget earmarked N25 billion but the Commissioner for Works, Prof  Daud Sangodoyin allegedly quoted N35.9 billion for the same article.

At the initial stage, the original setback Ladoja’s administration earmarked for the road stood at 75 metres to each side of the circular road. But this was extended to 150 metres by Ajimobi’s administration. In the process, many land owners lost their land owing to the extension of the setback. However, people agreed to abide by Ajimobi’s new measurement, thinking that that would be the end of the controversy, until Gov Makinde brought his unprecedented setback.

Governor Makinde, in his own estimation, believed that his predecessors’ proposed setbacks were not enough, that his out-of-the-ordinary 1km setback (500 metres to the left and 500 metres to the right) was the perfect way to go. The damage this would cost over 6,000 residents was never a concern to the governor. What even influenced Mr governor’s never-done-before setback is still a mystery to many people today.

Prior to the time that Makinde became governor, people believed he was a very compassionate individual who always frowned at demolitions of people’s properties even if the demolitions were for public interest.

I remember during the tenure of Ajimobi’s administration when there was an attempt to demolish a building that today houses a radio station in Ibadan, Makinde happened to be one of the people who came to the scene to sympathize with the owner of the building. He Makinde, even pledged to donate some amount to repair part of the building that was touched. Now, what has happened to Makinde’s human feeling of that period before election is what many people want to know today. Many care to know whether the kind gesture he extended that time was really genuine or political.

Throughout the world, Setback is very important to avoid building illegal structures (structures that do not conform with urban planning rules). According to the Ministry of Physical Planning, a setback is the distance to be observed between the building line and property boundary, water bodies, right of ways of infrastructure facilities and utilities. And there are specific metres to be set aside but never more than necessary.

For Gov Makinde’s perusal, in case he isn’t aware, below are the setbacks for different right of ways as stated by Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

Federal High way – 90 metres right of way. 45 metres from the centre to the property line.

State High way – 60 metres. 30 m from the centre to the property line.

Local Road (State) – 24metres, 18m, 15m, 12m (12m, 9m, 7.5m, 6m) right of ways respectively from the centre to the property line as applicable)

At this juncture, it’s necessary to ask Mr governor exactly where he copied his unprecedented setback from. Apart from many houses that had already been demolished, many houses are being marked for demolition soon. Is this the purpose a responsible government is meant to serve?

One of the responsibilities of a responsible and responsive government is to provide shelters for the citizens and entire residents. Without being told, everyone understands that the government has failed woefully in this respect. And this is the reason many want to know why the administration which has failed to provide houses for people is the same government that is demolishing people’s houses.

It’s on this note that this columnist calls on on Gov Makinde to rethink and retrace his step regarding the circular road setback. The governor ought to be told that the people who are affected by his unparalleled setback are people of little means who struggled, through thick and thin, to erect low-cost houses to have places to call their homes.

Undoubtedly the state government has a prerogative and power to acquire any land within the state but this must be done through transparent and proper procedure. The land must be acquired for overriding public interest and public purpose. Those, with adequate and proper documents, whose land are acquired by the government must be compensated accordingly.

Now the questions are: Is Gov Makinde’s 1km setback in line with the provision of law? Is the land acquired for overriding public interest or for personal interest?

Ademola ‘Bablow’ Babalola