Landlords and indigenes of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Thursday, took to the streets to protest over the demolition of their property worth N82.6 million by the state government for the construction of bus terminal.
The indigenes who had their property destroyed around Ijoka quarters in the state capital said it was sad and mind-boggling for the government to have demolished their age-long property spanning four years, without thinking of paying requisite compensations, describing this as, “wicked and callous.”
The placard-carrying protesters, which read, ‘ Fulfill your promises, Mr Gov’; Save our Soul, Mr Gov; Your DG/commissioner for lands are deceptive, visited the Bus Terminal construction site and the Palace of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, to ventilate their grievances.
Addressing journalists during the protest, the spokesman of the aggrieved landlords, Afolabi Ogunsakin, lamented perceived Governor Kayode Fayemi’s alleged nonchalant posture to pay their compensations, after being allegedly evicted at short notice.
He said: “Our dear ancestral home was demolished in 2016 by the state government without consideration for hardship and negative effects that we experienced.
“All negotiations regarding payment of compensations to members had been fruitless. After several appeals, it became clear that the government was not ready to pay us our entitlements. It is also clear that the delay in payment of our entitlements was deliberate.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
“The community wants to state categorically here that henceforth, step will be taken to disturb workers on site. We are ready to damn the consequences until the government pay us our entitlements.”
Also fuming over the delay, the Head of the family, Chief Laisi Opokiti, regretted how they were being allegedly deceived by the government, saying, “Many tombs where our forefathers were buried were levelled during the demolition. We know that their spirits will fight.
“Four years, four months and two days after demolition, the government didn’t pay us a dime. Governor Fayemi said he had approved money, but it was not given to us. We appeal that they give us our entitlements.”
Also speaking, the Community’s Youth Leader, Olasehinde Omotoso, disclosed that they had visited the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Diran Adesua and the Director-General, Bureau of Lands, Mrs Funke Falodun, despite, their efforts were futile.
Oba Adejugbe, represented by Omosio of Ado Ekiti, Chief Opeyemi Abiola, appealed to the protesters not to be unruly and destructive in their actions.
“We will relay your message to Kabiyesi. Baba will be around next week Tuesday so that you can return here to ventilate your anger. He will take up your case with all relevant government agencies,” he said.
How Workplace Sexual Harassment Forces Many Out Of Their Dream Jobs
Ekiti residents protest over N82.6m unpaid compensation for demolished property
Marburg Virus: What You Need To Know About Disease Recently Detected In West Africa
Ekiti residents protest over N82.6m unpaid compensation for demolished property
AS we march into a new month today, let us call attention to the importance…
In life and even in death, Pa Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo remained a man of the…
With lack of access to career counseling and advisory largely contributing to unemployment in Africa,…
CONTINUING efforts to fulfil its mandate through strategic collaborations, the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN)…
A few days ago, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) ordered all banks in the…
This website uses cookies.