Governor Makinde Assures Ibadan Circular Road Landowners, Pledges No Demolition Beyond 150-Metre Setback Without Full Compensation

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has taken a decisive step to end the lingering dispute over the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project, pledging, that his administration will resolve all outstanding issues regarding property setbacks and compensation before his tenure ends.

Governor Makinde, who personally visited the affected Ologuneru community and engaged directly with property owners, assured residents that the government would not demolish any house without adequate compensation to the owners.

The Governor addressed the panic caused by demolition markings that had appeared beyond the designated construction corridor. He clarified that in built-up areas like Ologuneru, the road corridor would not exceed 150 metres, which is the required standard for a rapid transfer highway.

“I told the Ministry involved that in built-up areas like this, we would stay within 150 metres,” Governor Makinde stated, urging residents. “If they are marking beyond 150 metres, it should be disregarded. If they mark your house outside the 150 metres, disregard it as well.”

New Committee to Fast-Track Compensation

To streamline the process and remove bureaucratic bottlenecks, the Governor announced a new framework for dispute resolution. He has ordered that the affected landowners will no longer deal directly with the Ministry of Lands.

Instead, a 10-member committee nominated from the affected property owners will be constituted to work directly with the New Towns and Cities Development Authority (OYNTCDA), the agency overseeing the Circular Road corridor. This move is aimed at ensuring transparency and speeding up the payment of due compensation.

Governor Makinde acknowledged that the issues, which largely stemmed from a 500-metre acquisition corridor gazetted by a previous administration, had caused distress. He committed to solving the problems personally, assuring the landowners that he would not leave the resolution for the next administration.

The Circular Road project is segmented, and the Governor assured that the first segment (Technical University to Ibadan-Ife Road at Badeku) is nearing completion, while the second segment (Badeku to Moniya) is currently under construction.