Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, has reportedly ordered the demolition of the Staff Quarters at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS, Basorun, Ibadan.
According to multiple sources gathered by OYOINSIGHT, most of whom did not want name in print, the demolition is set to go down this morning.
Though the purpose of the demolition cannot be ascertained as at press time but unconfirmed report has it that it would, together with other lands, be converted to an estate.
“Aware of the plan of members of staff to protest against the demolition on Monday, the contractor has moved his equipment in to start the demolition as early as 6am tomorrow, Sunday April 18,” a source told OYOINSIGHT.COM late Saturday night.
A worker in the station alleged that no quit notice was served to workers who live in the quarters, noting that “majority of the occupants of the buildings cannot afford the rent of a decent apartment anywhere close to their place of work, hence they will be faced with daunting challenges immediately they are forced out of the quarters.”
The quarters, originally named Ibadan Media Hub and Theatre Village, was constructed by the administration of Col. David Jemibewon. The land was secured by the administration of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Inside the quarters, according to staff, are “heritage of founding fathers including mosque and Christian chapel.”
They alleged that Makinde plans to name the estate allegedly in honour of one of his late godfathers, explaining that “no quit notice was served to workers living in the quarters. The land is already being demarcated by surveyors and developers.”
Previous administrations, including the immediate past Abiola Ajimobi, tried to make use of vacant expanse of land around the staff quarters but succumbed to popular voice of workers.
However, efforts to speak with the executive director of BCOS has not yielded fruits as message sent to his line has not delivered.
