Demolition: Property Owners Lament Nonpayment Of Compensation

 

Ismaeel Uthman

SOME property owners whose buildings were demolished for road construction in Osogbo, State of Osun have lamented that the state government did not pay them compensation since 2013. 

One of the property owners, Mrs. Funke Afolabi who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday in Osogbo, said the state government was yet to honour the agreement it reached with the property owners as regard paying compensation for demolishing their property.

Afolabi who spoke on behalf of other property owners said many of those affected have died while many are sick and other are facing serious financial challenges. 

It would be recalled that the state government demolished some buildings, including petrol stations for the dualisation of Old Garage-Machine Tools road in Osogbo in 2013.

Also, some structures on both sides of Fakunke area, Olaiya junction and MDS area were ‘separated from the road during the Urban Renewal project of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration.

According to Afolabi, the compensation to be paid to the property owner is over one billion naira. 

She said: “We members of MDS Shop Owners Association wish to express our displeasure over the unfair treatment meted out on our members on the issue of compensation for the demolished structures.”

“The structures flanking both sides of MDS road, stretching from Old Garage, MDS, Olaiya Junction to Fakunle area were demolished by the State Government for dualisation. Enumeration and valuation exercise were carried out by officials of the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning for payment of compensation.

“Unfortunately, the compensation was not paid by Mr. Rauf Aregbesola administration in spite of series of letters of reminder and visits paid to the then Governor.

“On assumption of office in 2019, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola made a committal statement that compensation would be paid in trenches to all the claimants. 

“It is disturbing to note that approval has been given for compensation to be paid to a section of the claimants with the exclusion of claimants from Old Garage, MDS, Olaiya Junction and Fakunle Area. This development negates the principle of equity, justice and fairness.

“To this end, we appeal to Governor Oyetola to revisit this issue with a view to giving every claimant a portion of the compensation as earlier promised.”

The owner of a demolished petrol station, Alhaji Suaibu Agboola begged Oyetola to pay their compensation without delay. 

Also speaking, Mr Lasisi Adewale, a property owner, said Oyetola promised to pay the compensation, pleading with him to fulfill his promise. 

However, the Commissioner for Works and Transports, Engr. Remi Omowaye said the state government has not paid any one among the property owners.

He urged the affected property owners to exercise more patience with the government.