Badeku, Makinde, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Circular Road developmental pains- Olawale Ogunbusola

Obviously, it has taken sometime you read from me, as rigorous I used to before and shortly after second term inauguration of the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde on May 29, 2023

Anyway, I have resumed my official news media column.

Ibadan Circular Road was conceived between years 1999 and 2003. Without mincing words, during the administrations of Late governor Lam Adesina, and the now Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

As a matter of fact, almost every south western state of Nigeria, circular road is a done deal.

As the historical saying remains, ‘Ajisebi Oyo- Pacesetter state’, on 29th September, 2022, the second term governor of the state, Seyi Makinde deemed it fit to unravel the Ibadan master plan which uncovered the circular road infrasctructure, tagged,’ Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Circular Road’.

Before then, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo state, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja had announced on 17th February, 2015, that by his re-election for another term in Oyo State, then, on the platform of the Accord Party, AP, he was going to build the circular road.

Could we say Seyi Makinde was decisive enough to pick up the master plan?

On 29th September, 2022, Governor Seyi Makinde, with the then governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom flagged off the Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Government Reserved Area(GRA) along the Kilometre 10,Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with announcement of the phase I of the Circular Road summed for 110kilometres, 32.2km in distance would be completed within 12 months.

The said 32 kilometres of the Circular Road finally took off at Badeku, near Asejire, the boundary between Oyo State and Osun State.

Badeku is a community that adjoins a known village, Osho. The community is 10 kilometres from the now Ladoke Akintola Airport International (Ibadan) Airport.

Findings reveal that about 5,000 people live at Badeku. In short, it is the take off of the South East wing of the proposed Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Circular Road, measuring 32.2kilometres of the proposed 110km road awarded for #35.9billion to Kopek and Craneburg Construction companies.

I remember the 32.2km South East Road flag off day, Friday 22nd March, 2024, project manager Kopek Construction, Mr Isam Figali confirmed to newsmen that the 32.2kilometers of the South East of the Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Circular Road would take 18 months for completion, while on 4percent construction was achieved as at that day.

Recall, the circular road has four sections: South East (32.2km), North West (20.8km), North west (33km) and South west (24km), covering six local government areas within the Ibadan metropolis: Egbeda, Ona-Ara, Lagelu, Akinyele, Ido and Oluyole.

According to the Oyo State Commissioner of Works and Transport, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin hinted that the road would help to reduce alternatives to neighbouring states within the south western part of Nigeria, engender industries siting through real estate developers, link to the Ibadan-Ife Expressway, the Moniya Train station, Ibadan Inland dry port, the proposed Oluyole Free Trade Zone and socio-economic development.

At first, Late governor Abiola Ajimobi gave notice on buildings standing on the course of the proposed Road, until 2022, that more redmarks went to Badeku to inform the residents of the need to leave, and relocate elsewhere.

Still nothing was done, while Seyi Makinde continued his unscheduled visit to the construction site on inspection of flyovers, bridges, being put up.

Like a thunder, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing in Oyo State, Williams Akin-Funmilayo directed demolition of redmarked buildings two weeks from its flag-off, through Odeyale, so as to give room for road construction proper.

The sitting of the Oyo Assembly on Tuesday 12th March, 2024 revealed the secret behind demolition in Badeku. A lawmaker representing Lagelu State Constituency, Akintunde Olajide presented an urgent of public importance, with the appeal that the government of Oyo State should reconsider its decision to maintain 500metres setback either side. The deputy speaker and member representing Ona-Ara State Constituency, Mohammed Fadeyi noted that houses on demolition were on the proposed dual carriageways, while the setbacks, yet to be effected. what do we say now?
Jesus!!! I got to Badeku, wept for uncountable losses as plenty of long sweated constructed structures came down. Who is wrong, here? I realize the residents.

Two of the residents, who spoke on behalf of others, decided to keep them anonymous, appealed to governor Seyi Makinde, for mercies. ” None of us have documents on our allocated lands”, they said.

“The proposed 150meters, or 250 meters will do more woes to us here. Makinde, you are the best, have mercy on us. We have no money, no where else to go. We know we are guilty now”, the residents echoed.

The response of Seyi Makinde, respectfully indicated that he loves his citizens”, I believe all of you here voted the present administration in Oyo State? Yes or No?”, he queried.

Fine, he maintained his readiness to relocate, and compensate the duly documented landed property. “Stop building on this corridor, henceforth. I visit, drive through this place every two weeks, find new structures come up. Let this stop. I directed the commissioner for Lands and Housing, to show you. Let me tell you ‘development will come with its pains’, “,Makinde concluded.

This is a great lesson that every citizen should seek for clarity over land to purchase, either for residential, or industry to avoid sudden loss.

Similarly, the government should paste well approved real estate developers in the state, as I find out, if not checked government may continue payment of compensations, periodically.

The Physical and urban planning should sit-up, work with the leadership of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, under Alhaji Waheed Lamidi to curtail, illegal land measurement , structures building by residents.

Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde, my best brilliant magical governor, should investigate road circumvention around Odeyale.

Residents around the area lamented that the road proposed has been diverted away from its due course, through the downtrodden, who occupy genuine portion of the land, as this was engineered by some wealthy and politically influential persons in the state. Should this be correct? A presiding executive order of the governor, should go out and restore order. I trust, Governor Makinde” Baba temi sir”. He will do the right!

Badeku’s South East Road is ongoing; North East wing of the Circular Road,which will span through Lagelu and Akinyele, to commence, in matter of weeks. Aaahhhhh!!!!

Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Circular Road developmental pains.

Comrade Olawale Ogunbusola, is an author, public affairs analyst, columnist, educationist, and broadcast journalist, writes, Ibadan.