Ekiti appeals to landowners to release 200-metre ring road corridor
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Ekiti State has asked five communities along its ring road to release land for a 200-metre corridor on both sides of the road, promising compensation and dialogue after landowners resisted the acquisition.
The Ekiti State government has appealed to communities and landowners along its ring road to release land for development, after disagreement over plans to acquire 200 metres on both sides of the road. Communities including Afao Ekiti, Aare Ekiti, Araromi Obu, Igbogun and Iworoko Ekiti had disagreed with the state over the acquisition.
Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye made the appeal during a peace meeting with representatives of the affected communities in Ado Ekiti, according to Tope Ariyo, Director of Press in the Office of the Deputy Governor. She assured landowners that the government would not forcefully acquire their properties and that compensation would be paid to those affected, saying the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji preferred dialogue and consultation on sensitive issues.
"The land we intend to acquire is to develop the ring road axis by bringing other landmark infrastructure to the area, thereby opening it up as a new hub of development," Afuye said. She dismissed fears of widespread demolition around the project area and promised to visit the location with relevant agencies to ensure that demolitions, if necessary, were minimised when work resumed.
The Surveyor-General of Ekiti State, Rufus Gbadura, said the proposed acquisition was intended to accommodate infrastructure such as five-star hotels, industries and other social amenities, and urged the communities to cooperate on the basis that they stood to benefit if the project was completed. The member representing Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Akeem Jamiu, noted that the airport recently established by the state in the area had already brought benefits to residents.
Speaking for the affected communities, the Alare of Aare Kingdom, Oba Boluwade Adebiyi, and the Regent of Iworoko Ekiti, Mrs Adenike Ogundola, expressed concern that acquiring another 200 metres on both sides of the road could restrict the growth and future expansion of their communities. They urged the government to review the proposed acquisition and reach a concrete agreement with affected landowners before proceeding.