Oyo govt compensates displaced land owners with over N52b

From Ogundele Olanrewaju

Oyo State Government, has disbursed a total sum of Fifty two Million, Fifty Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eleven Naira ( #52,053,711) as compensation to beneficiaries of lands acquired by the government for developmental projects in Ibadan .

The State Commissioner for Lands,Housing and Urban Development, Mr.Olusegun Olayiwola, presented the cheques to the beneficiaries at the Conference Room of the Ministry on Wednesday.

While presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries at the Conference Room of the Ministry, the State Commissioner for Lands,Housing and Urban Development, Mr.Olusegun Olayiwola,
said the payment was to alleviate the sufferings of the affected individuals in respect of the said properties and ensure they are not punished unnecessarily .

According to Mr Olayiwola, the sum of Forty – Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty Eight Thousand and Forty – Five Naira ( # 48,888,045) were disbursed for 16.3 hectares of land acquired for Model College at Sogunro in Akinyele Local Government, while Three Million, One Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand , Sixty Six Naira ( #3,165,666) , goes to beneficiaries of ( 3.028 ) Hectares of land at Lagos Ibadan – Express way, meant for Gas Plant Project .

The commissioner, who applauded the beneficiaries for their tolerance during payment processes, said the government would also attend to other people awaiting compensation from Oyo state government within the shortest possible time .

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Ojedokun Musibau , lauded the state government for fulfilling its promise.

The event had in attendance , the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands , Housing and Urban Development, Mrs .Olubunmi Adebiyi , Directors of the ministry, members of the inter- ministerial committee on payment of compensation to beneficiaries, drawn from Justice Ministry, Surveyor General , Office of the Accountant General and Auditor General amongst others.