Adiyan Water Project: Ogun Assembly Calls For Immediate Compensation For Affected Property Owners

The Ogun state house of assembly has assured the residents of Akute/Baale, Agbado Oke-Aro communities who may have been affected by demolition of buildings, as the State Government will ensure fairness and collaboration with the communities including timely compensation for the affected property owners.

Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, gave the assurance during a meeting between the representatives of the residents and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources, Engr. Kunle Otun at the instance of the House Committee on Oil, Gas, Energy and Water Resources led by Hon. Abdul Bashir Oladunjoye.

Oluomo noted that the Dapo Abiodun led administration remained committed to promoting the welfare of the people.

He maintained that the implementation would be with human face, as the Assembly was also in close contact with its Lagos State counterpart on how best to address the issue.

Reeling out the resolution after the meeting, the Chairman, House Committee on Oil, Gas, Energy and Water Resources, Hon. Oladunjoye, added that there would be a joint Committee between the communities and the State Government.

He, further submitted that the Committee would further look at the probability to review the implementation process and timely compensation for the affected residents, while requesting the joint Committee to submit its reports to the House before the commencement of the projects.

While responding,  Engr. Otun noted the parcel of land meant for the project had been acquired since 1977 and was gazetted in 1991, stating that government would implement the water project with human face including commitment from the Lagos Government to supply water to the residents of the area.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the communities, Mr. Adeniyi Bamiro and Rev. Joshua Adegbola, made a passionate appeal to the State Government to help reduce the size of the right of way with a view to reducing the likely impact of the planned demolition as according to him, most of the residents had been living in the areas long time ago.

Meanwhile, the State House of Assembly Committee on Public Account and Anti-corruption led by Hon. Musefiu Lamidi, has requested for the updated records of the State Parks and Garages Development Board between January 2015 and June 2020 to ascertain the rationale behind the low revenue generation from the toll points in the State.

Hon. Lamidi noted that the Board needed to update its financial records to reflect inflows and outflows to cover the period of assessment in line with the State financial regulations.