The Ibadan Circular Road project, conceived over 15 years ago, has finally come to fruition under the visionary leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Despite facing neglect and abandonment by previous administrations, the project has been revived and is now underway, promising to transform the socio-economic landscape of Ibadan.
Project Overview:
The Ibadan Circular Road project aims to:
- Link every major road in Ibadan
- Connect Ibadan to neighboring states (Lagos, Ogun, Osun)
- Ease intra and inter-city traffic congestion
- Serve as a bypass for inter-city traffic on routes outside Ibadan
- Open a new economic corridor for controlled development, aligning with the Ibadan Master Plan
Demolition of Houses:
The project’s execution has resulted in the demolition of numerous houses, leaving many residents without homes.
Some homeowners, anticipating the government’s notice of demolition, took the painful step of demolishing their own houses, sacrificing their properties to make way for the project’s progress.
Victims’ Voices:
A Gistmegblog reporter spoke with some of the victims of the demolition, who shared their heartbreaking stories.
- A woman, who pleaded to remain anonymous, said, “The government has demolished two of my houses. I don’t know where to start from.”
- Another man explained that he had peacefully removed the roofing of his house immediately after government officials marked it for demolition.
He lamented, “I have lost my home and my livelihood. I don’t know how to start over.”
Importance of Town Planning:
The demolition exercise highlights the importance of town planning and the need for individuals to consider future government policies before building or acquiring land.
One of the victims, who lost two houses, emphasized the need for proper planning, saying, “If only I had known, I would have built my houses in a different location.”
Governor’s Address:
In a recent address to the victims of the demolition, Governor Seyi Makinde acknowledged the sacrifices made by the affected residents.
He explained that the initial plan was to construct a 500m-wide road, but to minimize the destruction of homes, the project was scaled back to 120m.
He also hinted that the road may be expanded to the original 500m width in the future, depending on the city’s needs.
Compensation Promise:
The Governor promised the victims of the demolition that they will be given new houses that will suit their needs and be better than what they have lost.
Benefits of the Project:
The project will have a profound impact on the socio-economic life and standard of living of the people, boosting trade and commerce, enhancing revenue generation, and creating employment opportunities for the youth.
History of the Project:
The project’s history dates back to 2002, with various milestones, including:
- 2005: Survey contract awarded by Senator Rashidi Ladoja
- 2005-2007: Engineering design concluded
- 2017: Revival by former Governor Abiola Ajimobi through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement
Current Status:
The project is currently under construction, marking a significant milestone in the city’s infrastructure development.
Conclusion:
The Ibadan Circular Road project is a testament to the perseverance and commitment of the Oyo State government to transform Ibadan.
While the project has come at a great cost to some residents, its benefits will be felt across the city, driving growth and development for generations to come.
