The Oyo State Government demolished many buildings in Ibadan, the main city of the state, on Wednesday.
The demolition started at Fashade community on Tuesday, along Circular Road and will impact about 12 villages in the Ona-Ara Local Government Area of the state.
The affected communities are Fashade, Aba Osho, Igbalefa, Adigbe, Badeku, Akamo, Alase, Ojoku, Dare, Isase, Oleke Meji, and Ogido, all within the Local Government Area.
One of the leaders in a affected area, Abdulfatal Amubikan, told our Correspondent that about 500 houses were demolished on Wednesday.
“We were surprised by this. The governor had promised during our peaceful protest in January that our houses would not be demolished. I spoke on behalf of others during the protest and we informed him about the notices posted on our houses by the Ministry of Lands.
“Initially, the governor assured us that our houses would not be demolished and asked us to return home. He also promised to discuss with the Commissioner for Lands and get back to us in three months. He asked us to give him three months to address the issue, assuring us that the government would not demolish our houses. However, the government did not wait for three months (until April) before starting the demolitions.
“We expected the three months to pass by next month (April) before meeting the governor again about his promise. He also assured us that the government would compensate affected residents. However, from yesterday (Tuesday) to today (Wednesday), about 500 houses have been demolished. And the demolitions are still ongoing”, he lamented.
Another victim, Usman Ikram, mentioned, “I was not at home when the demolition began. A neighbor called me to inform me that the government had started demolishing my house. It was a distressing experience that I never prayed for or expected in my life. I was deeply upset. Despite that, I am grateful to God because He knows everything.
“This situation makes me realize that despite the significant amount of money I invested in this project, there is nothing permanent in this life. I still urge the government to reconsider its decision because we have nowhere else to go.”
A 68-year-old widow, Omowumi Akintoye, also appealed to the government and governor for assistance, adding, “Since I moved here in 2016, nothing has been improved. I am still managing with my only child in the one room I built. I never had the opportunity to finish the entire house due to lack of funds.”
Other residents who spoke with PUNCH Online, including Abiodun Adeyemo, Sikiru Adebayo, Folake Balogun, Omolara Babalola, and Akinkunmi Jayeola, appealed to Governor Makinde for help.
When contacted on the phone, the state Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akinfunmilayo, confirmed the ongoing demolition of buildings near Circular Road.
He explained that the government acquired 500 meters of space for the road project on both sides and mentioned that landlords with valid documents would be compensated by the government.
Akinfunmilayo stated that after asking the team that went there, he was told that just a little over 50 houses were affected and some of the residents have already started removing the iron sheets before they arrived. He clarified that 500 houses were not demolished and the buildings affected were about 100 to 150 meters from Circular road.
The commissioner said that those who have genuine documents should go to the secretariat. The government will give them compensation. The government has acquired 500 meters to the left and right. So, whoever is impacted, with genuine documents, will receive compensation.
