Residents of Olorisa Oko and seven other communities in Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan, Oyo State, have raised concerns over land allocation and possible demolition along the Ibadan Circular Road corridor, demanding a gazette from Governor Seyi Makinde to protect their interests.
The affected communities are Olorisa Oko, Alabata, Akinboro, Akuro, Oguntilewa, Adamaro, Agbeka and Alase.
The residents took their complaint to the office of the Akinyele Local Government Chairman, Hon. Wole Akinleye, expressing fears that their homes and properties could be affected by the proposed development.
They alleged that about seven acres of land had been allocated to developers for an estate project despite previous discussions with the authorities. They added that they had been informed that bulldozers would be brought to the area on Tuesday.
The residents vowed not to leave the land, insisting that they were not opposed to the government’s development plans but wanted formal documentation to secure their interests.
They appealed to Makinde to issue a gazette covering already developed areas, warning that without such documentation, they could be forced to begin negotiations afresh when a new administration takes over.
“We don’t oppose the government’s development plan, but if we don’t have gazettes and this government ends, we will restart the process with the next government,” the residents said during the meeting.
They maintained that they would not allow bulldozers to demolish houses they had occupied for years to make way for private developers.
Makinde Won’t Demolish Your Houses – Akinyele LG Chair, Akinleye
Responding, Akinleye assured the residents that the Makinde administration would not demolish fully built houses, saying the government had maintained that property owners who had not been compensated would not be subjected to demolition.
The chairman explained that the Circular Road project affected six local government areas, while Ilu Tuntun was the only affected community within Akinyele Local Government Area.
He said Makinde had earlier constituted a committee to address issues arising from the project, adding that local government officials later engaged affected community stakeholders and representatives after residents raised concerns.
Akinleye said the community had mentioned the New Town and City Development agency during discussions, adding that he had expected further feedback from the affected residents but had not received it.
He also expressed concern that the dispute could become politicised, alleging that the community had planned to involve Accord Party figure Oriyomi Hamzat in the matter without informing him.
The chairman, however, said residents were entitled to make their own decisions, adding that their welfare remained a priority and that he would stand against any attempt to cheat them.
On the proposed development, Akinleye said a bonded warehouse initially planned for 12 acres had been reduced to seven acres because some structures would otherwise be affected.
He said he would contact the developer and the relevant agency to hear their position on the dispute, while urging the residents to remain calm as discussions continued.
The chairman also asked the community to set up a committee that would liaise with him and obtain feedback on the matter.
Despite the assurances, the residents maintained that their major concern remained the absence of a gazette formally addressing the status of developed areas along the project corridor.
The dispute highlights concerns among residents of communities along the Circular Road corridor over land allocation, property protection and the need for formal documentation as development plans progress.
Kehinde Ayanboade
Kehinde Ayanboade is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Naija Metro News, with over eight years of experience covering Nigerian politics, crime, legislative proceedings and metropolitan affairs.
