BREAKING: Oyo begins re-verification for property owners

The Oyo State Government has commenced a re-verification exercise for property owners and claimants affected by the acquisition of lands for the first segment of the Senator Rashidi Ladoja circular road, covering the Alago to Ajota areas.

The exercise, which began on Sunday, December 15, 2024, is scheduled to run until Saturday, December 22, 2024, at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan.

The initiative aims to document approximately 3,000 affected property owners and claimants for prompt compensation.

Chairman of the monitoring team, retired Commissioner of Police Sunday Odukoya, stated that Governor Seyi Makinde mandated the team to ensure a smooth and timely process.

Odukoya emphasised the governor’s commitment to ensuring affected individuals receive compensation without unnecessary delays.

“We are here to listen to and verify claimants so their compensation can be processed quickly. The governor does not want anyone to suffer or endure undue hardship,” Odukoya said.

Claimants are required to present original documents, including NIN, land documents, purchase receipts, survey plans, and other proofs of ownership. Only photocopies will be collected after verification.

Odukoya noted a low turnout on the first day but expressed confidence that more claimants would participate in the coming days. He assured that the verification team would remain on-site until all claimants are attended to.

Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatunbosun, also a monitoring team member, stressed that the exercise is free and warned against engaging intermediaries or agents, as the government has not accredited any agency to act on its behalf.

“This exercise is aimed at ensuring fairness. The list compiled by the Ministry of Lands is being verified to recommend genuine claimants for compensation. We are determined to capture all eligible individuals,” Olatunbosun said.

Speaking on behalf of the affected property owners, representatives including Kazeem Bello and Bolatito Abigail, expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde for facilitating the transparent and smooth verification process.