Say many landlords died from trauma, seek reversal to original plan
Property owners and residents from over 1,000 communities across six local councils in Ibadan have appealed to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to reconsider the planned 500-metre expansion of the Circular Road corridor and return to the originally designated 150-metre boundary.
These communities are located in Oluyole, Egbeda, Ona-Ara, Lagelu, Akinyele, and Ido local councils, and are home to over 10,000 houses and commercial structures, many of which are already impacted by the existing road plan.
Coordinator of the Ibadan Circular Road Communities Representatives (ICRCR), Niyi Fasoye, and Secretary, Isiaq Jimoh, issued a joint statement, lamenting that the road project had caused trauma, displacement, and even led to the untimely deaths of many property owners.
They emphasised that while the road is a laudable development project, the continued expansion of the corridor without due consideration for residents’ existing property rights has left thousands at risk of losing their homes and investments. The residents, therefore, appealed to the government to respect the original 150-metre acquisition boundary as recognised by past administrations.
They alleged that new boundary pillars are being installed at a 500-metre mark, which they say, is unjustified and causing undue panic. Among the affected communities are Egbeda Tuber, Tech U and Ajota in Oluyole local council; Ejioku, Eni Osa, Arulogun, Abaoba, Kotilo, and others in Lagelu local council; Ayede and Erunmu in Egbeda local council; Ajia, Arowojeka, Badeku and more in Ona-Ara local council; Aroro Kole, Molarere, and others in Akinyele local council; and several other areas, including Omi-Adio, Elenusonso, and Agbeni in Ido local council.
The residents also appealed to the government to allow them to process legal titles for their property through the Ministry of Lands to stop the ongoing marking and demolition threats.
They maintained that since they did not encroach or buy government acquisition land, the state government should maintain the properly acquired 150 metres and stop installing pillars on the boundaries of 500 metres.
