By Oluseye Ojo
A meeting between the Oyo State Government and residents of six local government areas affected by the Ibadan Circular Road project turned chaotic on Friday.
The meeting held at the Idi-Ope, Kobe end of the project, was disrupted by hoodlums, who chased overnment representatives away and damaged two vehicles in the process.
The development followed controversies surrounding the government’s plan to create a 500-metre corridor for the project. Hoodlums reportedly hauled stones and water sachets at their targets.
Before the meeting was disrupted, the Executive Administrator of the Oyo State New Town and Cities Development Authority (OYNTCDA), Mrs. Mofoluke Adebiyi, said only houses within 150 metres of the road would be demolished.
She explained that the structures within the 500-meter zone would remain standing, but with restricted development.
“We are not saying houses within the 500-metre corridor will be demolished. But we need to ensure proper planning and development.
“Any house within 150 meters will be demolished, and we’ll be numbering houses to determine the number of properties affected,” Adeniyi stated.
However, residents vehemently opposed the plan, arguing that it would lead to displacement and economic hardship.
They demanded that the government sticks to the original 150-metre corridor marked earlier.
“This is too much; many people have died while alive already on the previous 150 metres.
“We appeal to the government to consider us and not take beyond the already marked areas.
“This is issue affecting over 400,000 houses and above one million people, frrom six local government areas, which are Oluyole, Ona Ara, Egbeda, Lagelu, Akinyele and Ido,” said Ismail Abimbola, who is one of the affected persons.
The meeting ended without a definitive conclusion, with both parties agreeing to set up a joint committee to resolve the issue.
Niyi Fasuyi, one of the coordinators of the local government areas, claimed that the hoodlums who disrupted the meeting were not from the affected communities and were likely sponsored by unknown actors.
The Ibadan circular road project conceived in 2003, aims to ease traffic congestion and promote economic growth in the region.
