Residents of communities under Olorisaoko and environs in Akinyele local government area of Oyo state have passionately appealed to the governor of the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde to rescind his decision on the planned demolition of residential buildings for the proposed government’s Central Business District, CBD in the area.
This is contained in a statement signed by all village heads (Baale) under the Olorisaoko Communities Central Traditional Council and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Monday, 11th March, 2024.
The residents in their appeal said the demolition of their homes and destruction of their commercial farm lands will would no doubt take a toll on their livelihood, expose youths in the communities to crimes, and create unemployment coming at a time when Nigerians are faced with economic hardship in the state and country at large.
They explained that the CBD was a welcome development but implored Governor Seyi Makinde led administration to consider the use of virgin lands for the developmental extension of the project instead of demolishing the existing residential areas.
“Olorisaoko Communities commend the present administration on the ongoing development in the state but plead with the state government over new extension of CBD Central Business District ( 3,149) hectres, the communities are requesting from government to release the set aside existing residential area official documents in black and white format in other to avoid future disturbances of the existing buildings and landed properties from virgin land to be used for central business district (CBD ) the communities said they are in support of ilu tuntun development control rather than demolition of their residential buildings
“During a visit to Ministry of land and urban planning development by the communities representative in other to get the clear content of the recent government news and the pegging, The Director of Land Mrs Osho while speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary and honourable commissioner made a clarification that government has no intention to demolish any existing buildings but rather working to make a removal sketch clearance of the existing agreement within the density communities areas from the new map soon
“The CBD should rather accommodate all the developed communities in the proposed government facilities
“While commending the Oyo state House of Assembly Lawmaker, representing Akinyele Constituency ll, Honourable Deacon Kehinde Olatunde; Hon Olatunde in his response to the recent news that emanated from the Oyo State Ministry of Land and urban development dated March 1st on Tribune newspaper, assured all the residential communities of Olorisaoko and his environ’s of the safety of their lives and property base on the previous investigation/agreement reached and remain valid by OYHA committee on lands, on September, 15th, 2021, Chaired by Honourable Bamidele Oladimeji Adeola, which also gave assurance that government would not influence any investor to deprived people of theirs lands and properties without their consents.
The Central Chairman of Landlord and landladies Development Association Pastor Dr S .O Olaleye explained that the previous land acquired by previous administration in the state was planned to be used for projects such as Kolapo ishola housing scheme, Kara international cattle market, Abbatoir meat butcher hub, Kola Daisi University, new railway line standard guage and dry port.
Dr. Olaleye said the leople of the area however expressed shock about the sudden CBD acquisition proposal, emphasised that the latest demand for 1700 hecters and now another extension of 3,149 hecters on new map has jeopardize their means of living both old and young settlers.
He said this is the 8th time that the state government will be coming to acquire their lands
The residents while pledging their support for the success of the present government at all time, want the present Administration in the state to spare thier properties and consider the use of virgin lands in the communities and drop the planned demolition of thousands of residential property in the areas.
The affected communities are Olorisaoko, Babasango, Balogun, Agbeka, Akinboro, Ajibade, Adetola, Posigbola, Ogutilewa , Opabunmi, Tubi, Agbedo AKURO, Alabata, Abeowu, Opabunmi, Alase, Agbedo and it’s evirons all in Akinyele Local Government,
