By Admin
Ekiti State Government has appealed to communities whose lands are connected to the ongoing ring road construction in the state to release their lands for the expansion of the project to enable government achieve its developmental target.
Some communities and landowners which included Afao EkIti,Aare EkItii,Araromi Obu,Igbogun, ,Iworoko EkIti among others had been at a loggerhead with the state government on the acquisition of 200metres from each side of the ring road for developmental purposes.
According to the Director of Press ,Office of the Deputy Governor,Tope Ariyo, EkIti State Deputy Governor Chief Monisade Afuye who presided over a peace parley with the affected communities in Ado EkIti insisted that government was not ready to forcefully acquire the lands from the communities as compensations would be paid to them by the state government..
Afuye who said the state must move forward explained that the Oyebanji- led administration preferred consultation and advocacy on stringent issues involving EkIti communities while pleading with the communities not take the leniency of government for granted by taking laws into the hands .
” Oyebanji is keenly interested in the drastic development of EkIti State. The land we intend to acquire is to develop the ring road axis by bringing other landmark infrastructure to the axis..thereby opening up the area as a new hub of development.”
“This government believes in advocacy and consultation. You voted us into power and we shall continually consider your interests in our policies execution. Let us join hands to develop this state. We have no other state to call ours. No administration in this state has dolled out compensations to properties owners like the Oyebanji-led administration . I can assure you that your sacrifice will not be in vain as you shall be well compensated ‘,she assured
She allayed the fear of massive demolition of properties around the area stating that she would personally paid an on- site visit in company of the concerned government agencies to the area to ensure there were minimal demolitions, if necessary ,when further works commenced on the project.
Afuye expressed hope that through further dialogue and consultation both the affected communities and government might have to shift grounds to ensure the dream of government was realised for the benefit of all
A member of EkIti House of Assembly representing lrepodun/Ifelodun Constituency, Akeem Jamiu in his contribution advised the affected landowners to be prepared for development noting tthat the airport which was recently established by the state government in the axis had been of immense benefits to the people of the area.
He appealed to the affected communities to embrace a symbiotic solution to the disagreement stating that government would never undertake any project that would undermine their wellbeings.
Earlier , both Alare of Aare kingdom, Oba Boluwade Adebiyi and the Regent of lworoko EkIti,Mrs Adenike Ogundola who spoke on behalf of the communities had entertained fear that further acquisition of 200 metres from both axis of the road could choke up their communities and prevented further expansion .
They appealed to the government to go back to the drawing board on the proposed acquisition to ensure concrete agreement with the affected landowners was reached before the commencement of the project.
In his reaction,the Surveyor General of the State ,Mr Rufus Gbadura had hinted that the proposed land were meant to bring infrastructure such as Five Star Hotels ,industries and other social infrastructure to the area .
He encouraged the affected communities to cooperate with the government noting that the people of the area would benefit immensely if the project eventually came into fruition.
