Aggrieved residents of over 30 communities in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Wednesday, protested the alleged forceful acquisition of their lands and property by the government for the dry port project without adequate compensation and the issuance of dud cheques.
They, therefore, called on the state governor, Seyi Makinde, and the Nigerian president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to fulfil their previous agreements by properly resettling them and ensuring they don’t feel the unpleasant impact of citing and construction of the port in the area.
Speaking on behalf of others, Balogun Oluwaseyi, Akorede Sikiru, Magreth Akerele, Tunji Adepoju, and Monrufat Sunmonu said the affected communities cut across about 30 villages in the local government.
Oluwaseyi said, “Governments at all levels are yet to fulfil their promises, governments at all levels have failed to fulfil their previous agreements, a move which has sent cold shivers down the spine of some of us.”
Sunmonu said, “We are appealing to the state government to come to our aid, security here has been so bad, criminal elements have turned uncompleted buildings into their hideouts, and armed robbers have been coming to attack us inside our houses.
“I am yet to collect my own money and those that have collected cheques are yet to receive the payment as they have been complaining bitterly over bounced cheques issued by the state government.”
As of press time, all efforts to reach the state Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey, Segun Olayiwola, for a reaction were not successful as his mobile number was not reachable.
