Urban renewal: Ekiti govt disburses N300m compensation to property owners

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Monday disbursed a whopping N300 million to owners of properties acquired for the administration’s Urban Renewal Project.

The beneficiaries were those whose buildings would be demolished in the Atikankan area of Ado Ekiti metropolis, a popular slum within the capital city, for the construction of the proposed Ultra Modern Central Business District and Modern Park.

This gesture came barely three weeks after millions of naira were paid as compensation to those whose buildings and crops were demolished for the construction of a 1.2-kilometer flyover between Okeyinmi, Ijigbo, and Ajilosun areas of Ado Ekiti metropolis and Ekiti State Ring Road Phase 1.

Distributing the cheques at an event held at the Pavilion, Fajuyi area of Ado Ekiti, Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, pledged that his government wouldn’t subject property owners to undue bottlenecks before receiving their compensation.

The Governor stated that though the properties were acquired as part of determined efforts to rid Ekiti of slums and shanties, as represented by the Atikankan area, this would not deter him from offering compensation to the original owners of landed property in the area.

The Governor said Atikankan has been a notorious hideout for criminals and represented a dirty and shanty area that posed a threat to the people due to the high risk of communicable disease outbreaks.

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Oyebanji stressed that one of the cardinal objectives of his administration is the transformation of urban slums into befitting central hubs that will boost economic opportunities in the state, which spurred the acquisition of the Atikankan/Igbehin area.

“The proposed project will be one of the major trading hubs in the state where government, private individuals, businesses, and corporate organizations can buy and sell goods and services in a decent and more coordinated manner. The projects will have an impact and improve the living standards of the people as it is capable of generating employment for the youths.

“Let me reiterate that none of the developmental projects where structures, crops, and property are affected will be demolished without full compensation being paid to the beneficiaries. My administration is committed to prompt payment of compensation, no matter how small it might be, so that the little amount paid will not be consumed by inflation.

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“Although the amount might be meager compared to the cost of erecting new structures, I want you to bear with us as this is part of the collective sacrifices we have to make to enjoy the prosperity of industrial and infrastructural development of our dear state.”

Speaking earlier, the Head of Service, Engr. Sunday Komolafe, described the proposed Central Business District and Park legacy projects as facilities that would add aesthetic value to Ado Ekiti and enhance the state’s economic prosperity.

Komolafe added that the government shared the pains of those who lost their property and businesses to the construction of the facilities but clarified that the urban renewal policy was initiated in the public interest.