Some communities and landowners, including Afao Ekiti, Aare Ekiti, Araromi Obu, Igbogun, Iworoko Ekiti, among others, had been at loggerheads with the state government over 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 the government was not ready to forcefully acquire the lands from the communities, as compensation would be paid to them by the state government.
” 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 policy 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 compensation to property 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 pay an on- site visit in the 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 that the airport which was recently established by the state government on the axis had been of immense benefit 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 well-being.
Earlier, both Alare of Aare Kingdom, Oba Boluwade Adebiyi and the Regent of Iworoko Ekiti, Mrs Adenike Ogundola, who spoke on behalf of the communities, had expressed fear that further acquisition of 200 metres from both axes of the road could choke up their communities and prevent 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, hinted that the proposed land was 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 to fruition.
