Residents of Olorisaoko, Alabata, Agbedo, Akuro-Abeowu, Adamaro, Tubi, Opabunmi, Asimo, Alase, Ogunyemi, Okeoko-Agbeka, Balogun, Posigbola and Baba Sango among others, all under Akinyele Local Government Area in Ibadan have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde and the Oyo State Government to reconsider its plan of acquiring about 1,700 hectares of land in the communities against the wish of the residents.
They urged the government to consider the use of only available virgin lands in the communities and avert the demolition of thousands of residential property in the area.
According to the residents, the latest demand is the 7th time the government has been coming to acquire communities land in the same area in Akinyele LGA Ibadan for acclaimed developmental purpose.
The residents said, from the hectares of lands acquired in time past, some of the land has been hijacked for use of individuals’ self gratification under official cover of government, expressing strong conviction that the latest 1700 hectares proposed will not be an exception.
They said the previous land acquisition was planned to be used for projects including: Kolapo Ishola Housing Scheme, Kara International Cattle Market, Abbatior Meat Butchers Hub, Kola Daisi University, New Railway line Standard Guage and Dry Port among others.
They expressed shock about the sudden Central Business District acquisition proposal which came up without the inhabitants’ consent.
They also explained that while the earlier mentioned land acquisition was done, the communities granted it willingly without grumbling or questioning the government stake until now, when the only residential portion that remains is about to be taken by Oyo State government for use.
They gave the names of the 20 communities that would loose their property with the latest acquisition to include: Olorisaoko, Akuro-Abeowu, Agbedo, Alabata, Tubi Opabunmi Asimo and Adamaro.
Others are: Oguntilewa, Alaase, Babasango, Balogun, Agbeka, Akingbala, Onkoko, Okeoko-Agbeka, Akinboro, Ajibade, Adetola, Ogunyemi and Posigbola.
They said the implications of the acquisition proposal is that many residents will be displaced while many more will lose their means of livelihood as many of them engage in agriculture.
The residents, in a joint statement, thanked Oyo State House of Assembly for showing interest and setting up a committee to investigate the claim, lamenting that the immediate past administration acquired 300 hectres in which 90 hectares was meant for Dry Port and the remaining 210 hectares is meant for the operational facilities around the port corridors.
The communities said they were baffled with the new proposed 1,700 hectares without the knowledge or consent of the residents and inhabitants, urging the government to considered the negative side of the sudden acquisition proposal over the residents’ livelihood and socio-cultural activities.
The statement reads “Over this course there is a law and at the same time there is culture. 75% of the whole Olorisaoko communities and its environs has been acquired already for different developmental projects earlier in Akinyele Local Government.
“We are pleading with the Oyo State government under the leadership of our loving and kind Governor Seyi Makinde to use his parameters honour to avert demolition option over our residential building in the communities by reconsidering the use of available virgin lands for the development extension and settlement control if need be.
“It is unfortunate we are battling demolition treat right now, after escaping covid-19 pandemic, Fulani herdsmen terror with present status of economy with recession effect in the country we can’t afford to start building another houses or resettlement.
“Our forefather survived the advent of Ijaye war in 1860’s, but now without gunshots we are dying of demolition threat either directly or indirectly, our future is on fishing line with our linage, cultural heritage, and generations is being proposed to be destroyed with CBD project if our communities is demolished.
“We are begging the Oyo State Government to use all possible statuesque power to “temper justice with mercy” to reconsider it decisions.”