The Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, on Monday declared that his government would not demolish any property to facilitate road
construction without adequately engaging owners and paying due compensations.
Makinde stated this during an assessment tour of
the Kuola-Jakata-Benbo-Apata road on Akala expressway, which connects the
Lagos-Ibadan expressway to the Ibadan-Abeokuta Road.
“You cannot demolish people's properties without
compensating them. So, we will engage the property owners. We must know that
development comes at a price. It may be painful, but for the common good of
all, I believe they will cooperate with us,” he said.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary
to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Makinde submitted that a lot of money had
been expended on the project which was later abandoned by the immediate -past
administration.
He noted that his administration would ensure the
completion of the project as it was already captured in the 2020 budget of the
state.
Makinde added that it would be a quick win for the
government to complete the abandoned project, which he noted would ease traffic
on Ring Road, as commuters travelling from Lagos-Toll Gate axis towards
Apata-Abeokuta Road would no longer need to go through Ring Road.
According to the governor, “You can see that a lot
of money has been expended by trying to link the road coming from the Toll Gate
area to the Ibadan-Abeokuta Road. It is just about three kilometres to get
here. If we do it, we will decongest the Ring-Road, and people coming from
Lagos will either go through this way or the other way. They do not need to
reach Ring Road to get here.
“The project has already been captured in the 2020
budget, and I think this is a quick win for us.”
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