Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Monday, flagged off the payment of compensation to owners of landed property acquired for the construction of the Okeyinmi fly over Bridge in Ado – Ekiti.
Governor Oyebanji assured that all legitimate land and property owners that will be affected in the demolition exercise for the construction of the flyover that stretches from Okeyinmi, Ijigbo and Ajilosun junction, will be compensated expeditiously, adding that nobody will be sidelined in the exercise.
The Governor disclosed these in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, while presenting cheques to landlords and business owners, whose property were acquired for the construction and who were captured in the enumeration exercise varied out by the government.
The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye at the brief ceremony, said his government had spelt out modalities that would remove bottlenecks and ensure speedy payment of compensation to the property owners.
Reeling out the significance of the project, Oyebanji stated that part of the kernel objective and focus of his administration, is to make Ado-Ekiti metropolis an epicentre of flagship infrastructure that would buoy businesses, attract investors and make it befitting of its status as a capital city.
The Governor added that the project would decongest Ado-Ekiti of traffic snarl being envisaged within the business district area in the future and ease the means of doing business in the metropolis.
“One of the driving objectives of this administration is to make Ado-Ekiti among the comity of States’ Capitals in Nigeria a smarter city with well-built infrastructure that will improve the socio-economic development of the State.
“Hence, the construction of the flyover is part of the commitment of my administration to provide solid infrastructure to ease means of doing business in the State Capital.
“The flyover, if completed will go a long way to decongest traffic and enhance effective traffic management and orderliness within Ado-Ekiti metropolis”, he said.
Besides the flyover, Oyebanji disclosed that his government, had embarked on the construction of other major roads like: Omisanjana-Ajebamidele, Jimoh-Aliu, Nova, Ara-Ikole Road, Ikere-Ilawe Road, Igede-Ilawe Road, Ikere-Ise-Emure and Ilawe-Ado Roads, among others, to open up a vista of business and investment opportunities for the state.
“It is my desire that all these projects will be delivered within stipulated time and not abandon for any unknown reasons and at the same time complete all uncompleted projects of the past administrations in the state.
“I want to assure you that the State Government will pay all the affected persons whose properties were acquired by the State Government for construction of the flyover as enumerated by the Bureau of Land Services”.
Speaking further, the Governor said the State Government will ensure fairness and justice in the payment of the compensation to all the affected persons.
In his submission, Special Adviser on Land Matters, Mr. Akintobi Olusanmi, who described the project as part of the efforts to propel Ekiti’s Infrastructures and industrial development, revealed that it will be accorded priority and completed in record time to be able to serve the purpose.
Olusanmi revealed that all the affected land and property owners captured by government, had been instructed to produce their National Identification Number (NIN) and photographs for them to be qualified for the exercise.
He said the prioritisation and expeditious payment of compensation besides being undertaken in line with the stipulation of the Land Use Act 1978, that it further buttressed how passionate Governor Oyebanji was to make lives easier and abundant for the citizens.