The much anticipated meeting between the representatives of Oyo State government and residents within the corridor of 110km Ibadan Circular Road over proposed 500-metre left and right of the road ended in deadlock as no resolution reached following the attack lashed on people by hoodlums.
FRESHPAGE gathered that the affected residents across the six LGAs have mobilised their people to Idi-Ope, Kole, venue of the meeting in Akinyele LGA .
The hoodlums reportedly disrupted the event, chasing away representatives of the state government led by the Mrs Foluwake Adeniyi, Executive Administrator, Oyo State New Town and Cities Development
The hoodlums damaged two vehicles in the process.Speaking before the event was disrupted, the Executive Administrator clarified that only houses within 150 metres of the road will be demolished. She noted that houses within 500 metres of the project on the other hand will remain standing.
“The corridor for the project has always been 500 meters either way. That’s what has always been in the document with the Ministry of Land. But that does not mean we want to demolish houses 500 metres beside the road.
“The government created a new agency to ensure there’s proper planning on how we are developing the state. So if they say 500 metres either way, we are not saying the houses there will leave, we are only saying government will find a way to close it up. But any house within 150 metres will be demolished,” she noted.
“We are numbering houses to know the number of houses within the corridor. It’s for planning. Those with CO will have to collect new documents.
“A circular road must have a corridor. But that does not mean people can’t live there. Anywhere there’s already a cluster of houses wont be affected. But roads have a right of way and no one can build within that.
“We’ll also constitute a committee with representatives from the communities affected so that we can collaborate. You’ll be the one who will eventually thank the Seyi Makinde government for the development and progress that will come with the circular road,” she added.
But the explanation from the government’s representatives did not sit well with residents of the affected communities who took turns to take swipes at the Seyi Makinde-led administration.
This dissatisfaction eventually led to an attack from some section of observers at the meeting. However, one of the coordinators of the local government areas, Niyi Fasuyi claimed the attackers were hoodlums sent by unknown actors.
“Some hoodlums came invited. They are not part of us. We don’t know who invited them. Information reaching us now is that they damaged a govt vehicle and our vehicle too.
“They don’t have any property along the circular road. We don’t know who sponsored them. They are the one that came to scatter this meeting.
“The conclusion of the gathering today is that a committee will be set up comprising of both the government and residents of the communities,” he explained.
