Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

Landowners at Akilapa and Kuponiyi villages along Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Oluyole Local government area of Oyo State have been assured that state government would pay due compensation for all lands acquired for industrial purpose.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi gave the assurance through the state Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Ajiboye Omodeewu at a meeting held with the representatives of landowners from the villages where parcel of land were acquired by the government for its industrial revolution.

Ajimobi explained that for ease of doing business and trade in the State, land must be made available to investors so as to increase government’s internally-generated revenue, create employment and wealth, reflate the economy as well as industrialize the state.

He said, “We all need to make sacrifices for good things we desire and we as the representatives of the government are ready to ensure that we follow due diligence and do the needful for the people of the state. We are ready to pay compensation to the landowners but we will initially enumerate properties according to the stipulation of law. The request of the villagers on what will benefit them when the foreign companies start working is natural and we want to assure that the companies will abide by the corporate social responsibility code. They will provide social amenities for the people and these might include the establishment of hospitals, schools and other benefits. We implore our people to key into the vision of the government towards increasing employment opportunities, wealth creation and building financial capacity through industrialization”.

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation from the two villages, Alhaji Rasaq Akilapa said people in the communities shared the vision of the Ajimobi administration to create an industrial hub in their villages through the Pacesetter-Polaris Free Trade Zone and Industrial park.

Akilapa informed reporters of the readiness of the dwellers of both villages to always support the government in improving the quality of lives of residents of Oyo State.

He called on the government to speed up the compensation process saying “the people of Akilapa and Kuponiyi communities where the Free Trade Zone and the Industrial park are located are happy for development and we know we will be the most benefitting party. Our prayer is that the compensation payment be fast tracked.”

It will be recalled that the State government went into collaboration with about 175 investors from China who have expressed readiness to stake multimillion dollars in investments towards the Pacesetter-Polaris Free Trade Zone project in November 2016. The companies include vehicle-assembly plants, solar power manufacturers among others. The first set of investors is expected this month.Aji