Some angry landlords whose properties were demolished by government to pave way for the construction of new Bus Terminus in Ado-Ekiti have cried out for compensations.
The affected landlords who are residents of Ijoka Quarters in the state capital, on Thursday staged a peaceful protest demanding compensation for over N82.6 million worth properties consumed by the project.
They vowed not to guarantee the safety of the contractors at the site if government fails to accede to their demands.
The protesters claimed to have waited in vain for over four years without any tangible action from government towards compensating them.
Spokesman of the aggrieved landlords, Mr. Afolabi Ogunsakin, lamented the alleged nonchallant posture to pay their compensations, after being evicted at short notice .
“Our dear ancestral home was demolished in 2016 by the state government without consideration for hardship and negative effects that we experienced.
“All negotiations regarding payment of compensations to members had been fruitless. After several appeals, it became clear that government was not ready to pay us our entitlements. It is also clear that delay in payment of our entitlements was deliberate.
“The community wants to state categorically here that henceforth, step will be taken to disturb workers on site. We are ready to damn the consequences until the government pay us our entitlements,” he said.
The head of the family, Chief Laisi Opokiti, regretted how they were being allegedly deceived by government, saying “many tombs where our forefathers were buried were leveled during the demolition. We know that their spirits will fight.
“Four years, four months and two days after demolition, the government didn’t pay us a dime. Governor Fayemi said he had approved money, but it was not given to us. We appeal that they give us our entitlements,” he added.
Also speaking, the Community’s Youth Leader, Hon Olasehinde Omotoso, disclosed that they had visited the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Diran Adesua and the Director General, Bureau of Lands, Mrs Funke Falodun, but their efforts were futile.
“We have visited them severally,but it seems they were deceiving us. We are not saying Governor Fayemi is bad, he is a good man, but we want him to order the payment of our compensation.
“If they refuse the spirits of those that were buried here and those whose houses were demolished will fight back if they refuse to pay us,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Oba Adejugbe, represented by Omosio of Ado Ekiti, Chief Opeyemi Abiola, appealed to the protesters not to be unruly and destructive in their actions.
“We will relay your message to Kabiyesi. Baba will be around next week Tuesday, so that you can return here to ventilate your anger. He will take up your case with all relevant government agencies,” he said. (Daily Independent)
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