The Oyo State Government has paid over N5.35 billion in compensation to 578 property owners affected by the first segment of Ibadan Circular Road.

The Executive Adviser on New Towns and Cities, Mofoluke Adebiyi, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr Suleimon Olanrewaju, on Sunday in Ibadan.

Ms Adebiyi said the 32.2-kilometre segment runs from the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University axis along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, through Ona Ara, to Badeku Junction.

The junction connects the project to the Ibadan-Ile-Ife Expressway in the Egbeda Local Government Area.

She explained that 378 claimants under the Right of Way category and 200 under the Omission category had received compensation.

The payments followed screening and execution of Deeds of Indemnity by the affected property owners.

According to her, Governor Seyi Makinde approved N3.86 billion for Right of Way claimants and N1.81 billion for Omission claimants.

She stated, “He also reduced the setback from 150 metres to 75 metres in built-up areas following residents’ appeals.”

Ms Adebiyi said the compensation exercise remains ongoing, with 263 Right of Way claimants and 35 Omission claimants yet to appear.

She disclosed that only 16 payments failed because of discrepancies between beneficiaries’ names and bank account details.

She added that efforts were underway to resolve the discrepancies and ensure the affected beneficiaries received their payments.

The adviser assured residents that the compensation exercise was being conducted transparently and fairly. 

(NAN)