We’ve started compensating victims of mass demolition –Ogun

The Director-General, Ogun State Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo, has urged owners of structures affected by the ongoing reconstruction of the 32-kilometre Sango-Ijoko-Akute-Alagbole road to report at the agency’s Abeokuta office to collect their compensation.

He said the fund for the payment had been made available and was awaiting collection at the bureau, a statement said on Wednesday.

Oshinowo, who spoke against the backdrop of the outcry by residents, whose properties were demolished by the government as a result of the ongoing reconstruction and expansion of roads in the state, noted that the state government was not insensitive as alleged.

He added that property owners were given adequate notice before the demolition started.

He said, “We gave residents of Ijoko, Agbado, Alagbole, Akute and Ojodu areas more than two years notice before embarking on the demolition exercise in order to start the construction of the 32km highway. Even if you give them up to 50 years to vacate the areas, they will still say the same thing: that they were not given adequate notice.”

The DG said the government was working hard to tackle the menace of erosion and flood in these areas.

He revealed that efforts were ongoing to turn the state to a megacity capable of attracting investors, who will establish business in a befitting environment.

He said the victims of the demolition in areas like NNPC, Moore Junction, Madojutimi Road, Moriamo Adetoro, Olorombo, Ijeun Titun and Olorunda-Ayetoro road, all in Abeokuta, were still receiving their compensation at the BLS.

The DG added that those in Ilara, Egua, Mowe-Ofada road and Ilaro had been compensated.

He said if relevant documents were made available and others conditions, such as claims form, certificate of occupancy, survey, documents of the planning and proof of ownership or agreement were presented, compensation would be given.