The Oyo State Government has disbursed more than ₦5.35 billion in compensation to 578 property owners affected by the first phase of the Ibadan Circular Road Project, in a move aimed at balancing infrastructure development with the protection of residents’ interests.
The update was provided by the Executive Adviser on New Towns and Cities, Mrs Mofoluke Adebiyi, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju.
According to the statement, the first segment of the Ibadan Circular Road covers 32.2 kilometres, stretching from the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University axis along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Oluyole Local Government Area, through Ona Ara LGA, and ending at Badeku Junction on the Ibadan-Ife Expressway in Egbeda LGA.
The government explained that under the Right of Way (ROW) category, which covers properties situated within 75 metres on either side of the road median, a total of 674 structures were identified for compensation. Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier approved a reduction of the setback from 150 metres to 75 metres in built-up and clustered areas following appeals from affected residents.
To compensate owners in the category, the governor approved ₦3.86 billion. So far, 411 claimants have appeared before the screening committee, while 378 property owners have completed the required documentation and received their payments.
For the omission category, which includes property owners who claimed their properties were affected but were not initially enumerated, a fresh assessment exercise identified 251 structures. Following the exercise, the governor approved ₦1.81 billion for compensation.
Records show that 216 claimants in this category have appeared before the screening committee, while 200 beneficiaries who completed the necessary documentation have been cleared and paid a total of ₦1.49 billion.
In total, 578 property owners across both categories have received compensation, reflecting significant progress in the state’s efforts to ensure that those affected by the project are fairly compensated.
Adebiyi noted that the compensation process remains ongoing, with several claimants yet to appear before the screening committee or complete the required documentation.
She disclosed that 263 claimants under the Right of Way category and 35 claimants under the omission category are yet to present themselves for screening and verification.
The adviser also revealed that only 16 payment transactions encountered difficulties due to discrepancies between claimants’ submitted names and their bank account details. She added that efforts were underway to resolve the issues and facilitate payment.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency and fairness, Adebiyi said the compensation exercise has been conducted without favouritism and in line with due process.
She stressed that the administration remains committed to delivering transformational infrastructure while safeguarding the interests of residents affected by development projects.
“The payment of over ₦5.35 billion in compensation reflects the administration’s resolve to ensure that development proceeds hand in hand with fairness, accountability and responsible governance,” the statement said.
The development comes weeks after Governor Makinde approved ₦4.6 billion as the first tranche of compensation for affected property owners, assuring beneficiaries that payments would be made directly into their bank accounts as the project progresses.
