No fewer than 142 villages and communities across six local government areas in Oyo State have raised the alarm that they may be wiped out over alleged plans by the state government to acquire additional land for the Ibadan Circular Road project.
The affected areas cut across Ido, Lagelu, Oluyole, Egbeda, Ona Ara, and Akinyele local government areas, all in the rural parts of Ibadan.
The Ibadan Circular Road project was first conceived during the administration of former governor and current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
The initial plan reportedly earmarked a 150-metre corridor for the road.
However, residents claim government officials are now marking an additional 850 metres of land, threatening to displace entire communities.
At a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Iyaganku, Ibadan, spokesman of the affected communities, Mr. Oladosu Olutayo, called on the state government to retain the original 150-metre boundary.
He warned that any attempt to extend the acquisition would have devastating effects on residents and their farmlands, adding that the communities have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government to address their concerns.
Findings show that 22 communities in Oluyole, three in Egbeda, 23 in Lagelu, 22 in Ona Ara, and several in Ido will be affected, while Akinyele Local Government Area reportedly has the highest number of communities at risk.
However, the Oyo State Government has dismissed the claims, assuring that no one will be shortchanged in the process.
Speaking on behalf of the government, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, explained that the current administration is working with the plans inherited from previous governments.
According to him, the initial 150 metres were acquired under Ladoja, while the late former governor, Abiola Ajimobi, expanded it by an additional 350 metres.
“This administration has not acquired an inch of new land.
Governor Makinde is working based on what was on ground, and those affected have been, or will be, duly compensated,” Olanrewaju said.
He added that about 90 per cent of those affected by the first phase of the project have already received compensation, assuring that the government will ensure fairness to all parties involved.