By Oluwaseun Sonde
The Ogun State Government has made plans to begin paying compensation to owners of properties demolished by the administration of Sen. Ibikunle Amosun to pave way for the expansion of some road projects across the state.
Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, who spoke on the issue at the weekend, said the governor has approved the compensation payment, which will be in phases.
Recalled that the past administration embarked on massive demolition of properties across the state in his desire to expand some roads to as much as 8-lanes without paying compensation to affected owners.
According to the Commissioner, "the Present Governor, Dapo Abiodun has already approved compensation payment which should commence to alleviate the sufferings of those affected.
Stated in addition that it was double jeopardy as many of the roads were abandoned midway through the construction process, while others did not take off at all.
Akinsanya noted that the demolitions carried out by Amosun’s Govt were unnecessary, adding that it ended up compounding the problems being faced by the present government.
"The state government now has billions of compensation claims to contend with in addition to looking for another huge sums of money to complete the abandoned roads.
The Commissioner made it known that Abiodun administration inherited outstanding debt of N202billion from the Amosun government on roads alone.
The commissioner said the state government has decided on the policy of no demolition in its project execution, except where necessary and unavoidable.
He said the last administration had earmarked some houses for demolition preparatory to the rehabilitation of Kemta-Somorin road in Abeokuta. The project is nearing completion without any demolition carried out, he added.
“Our road design and construction is such that we try to avoid demolition. It is actual not necessary to demolish while constructing roads, unless it is actually unavoidable.
“The same thing applies to bridge construction. Most of the bridges constructed by that regime were a waste of resources.
"For instance, on the entire stretch of the 19kilometers Atan-Lusada-Agbara road has only one bridge. And the length is short,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Abiodun has been praised for his intervention in the compensation process.
A resident of Agbado, who lost many shops to Amosun’s bulldozers, Mr. Abayomi Olanreway, commended Governor Abiodun for his magnanimity.
Comments