Ekiti govt appeals to communities to release land for ring road development

The Ekiti State Government has appealed to communities and landowners affected by the ongoing ring road construction to release their lands for the expansion of the project, assuring them that adequate compensation would be paid.

Some communities and landowners, including Afao Ekiti, Aare Ekiti, Araromi Obu, Igbogun and Iworoko Ekiti, had disagreed with the state government over its plan to acquire 200 metres of land on both sides of the ring road for development purposes.

According to the Director of Press in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Tope Ariyo, Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye made the appeal during a peace meeting with representatives of the affected communities in Ado Ekiti.

Afuye assured the landowners that the government would not forcefully acquire their properties, stressing that compensation would be paid to those whose lands were affected.

She explained that the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji preferred dialogue and consultation on sensitive issues affecting communities across the state.

The deputy governor, however, urged the affected communities not to take the government’s willingness to engage them for granted or resort to taking the law into their hands.

“Oyebanji is keenly interested in the rapid development of Ekiti State. The land we intend to acquire is to develop the ring road axis by bringing other landmark infrastructure to the area, thereby opening it up as a new hub of development,” she said.

“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 paid 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 added.

Afuye also dismissed fears of widespread demolition of properties around the project area, promising to personally visit the location alongside relevant government agencies to ensure that demolitions, if necessary, were minimised when work resumed.

She expressed optimism that further dialogue would help both the government and affected communities reach a compromise to ensure the successful completion of the project.

Also speaking, the member representing Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Akeem Jamiu, urged affected landowners to embrace development.

He noted that the airport recently established by the state government in the area had already brought significant benefits to residents.

Jamiu appealed to the communities to adopt a mutually beneficial approach to resolving the disagreement, assuring them that the government would not embark on projects designed to undermine their welfare.

Earlier, the Alare of Aare Kingdom, Oba Boluwade Adebiyi, and the Regent of Iworoko Ekiti, Mrs Adenike Ogundola, who spoke on behalf of the affected communities, expressed concern that acquiring another 200 metres on both sides of the road could restrict the growth and future expansion of their communities.

They urged the government to review the proposed acquisition and reach a concrete agreement with affected landowners before proceeding with the project.

In his remarks, the Ekiti State Surveyor-General, Rufus Gbadura, explained that the proposed land acquisition was intended to accommodate infrastructure such as five-star hotels, industries and other social amenities.

He urged the communities to cooperate with the government, saying they stood to benefit significantly if the project was completed.