Oyo State Government has released another tranche of compensation payments to property owners affected by the ongoing Circular Road project in Ibadan.
The fourth batch, totalling N780 million, was disbursed on Thursday at the office of the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Funmilayo.
Speaking during an interview with newsmen, the commissioner explained that the payment marked a significant milestone in the government’s commitment to compensating those whose properties fall within the construction corridor of the Circular Road project.
“Like I said earlier, this is the first time we are making compensation for the first segment in the settlement,” Mr Funmilayo stated.
According to him, a total of 298 property owners and properties were affected in the first segment of the project, with 193 already compensated.
“The leftover is 105, which I have told you. We are still expecting them to come for screening so that we will be able to affect the people,” he added.
Mr Funmilayo emphasised the importance of the screening process, explaining that it is designed to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries receive the payments.
“The rationale behind this screening is for us to know that the right beneficiaries are there. So, we have 105 left and we are ready to pay them. If they show up today, we guarantee that we will pay some of them,” he said.
The commissioner disclosed that while N780 million has already been disbursed, the total compensation liability stood at approximately N980 million.
He also noted that the remaining property owners have not yet presented themselves for the required verification.
“Those people that have refused to come for screening, it was fine. We went to carry out the enumeration on the field,” he explained.
He raised concerns about potential fraud and stressed the need for due diligence.
“It is not unlikely that some bad guys might want to come for screening. We are still asking for some documents, identity, and some other assisting facts. So, they are nowhere to be expected,” he warned.
Mr Funmilayo said the ministry has documented the names of the yet-to-be-screened beneficiaries and is ready to process their claims as soon as they comply.
“I think I have a video copy of their names. I think they are 106. So, we are expecting them,” he said.
The commissioner also mentioned that further public sensitisation will be carried out to encourage the affected individuals to come forward.
“Apart from your support in this regard, we will go on the media as well to make a public announcement. I would like to go around and take a look,” he concluded.