Ekiti state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, Thursday, paid a whopping N300 million to 377 land owners whose property were acquired for the construction of the Ekiti State Agro Allied Cargo Airport in Ado Ekiti, the capital city.
Dispelling insinuation that the airport project was a misplaced priority, Oyebanji posited that the facility was intended to expand the state’s economy, open a new vista of economic opportunities, investments and bolster industrial drives.
Oyebanji spoke in Ado Ekiti while disbursing cheques to land owners from Ijan, Igbemo, Afao, Iworoko and others, whose lands and economic trees were acquired to give way for the construction of the Airport facility.
Oyebanji, represented by the deputy governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said the event marked the third and last tranche of compensation payments to individuals and families affected by the land acquisition for the realization of the ambitious Ekiti State Cargo Airport facility.
The governor, however, advised those whose lands were acquired in public interest and have not been compensated not to disturb contractors on sites, assuring that all their expectations would be met to indemnify their losses.
He clarified further that the vision behind the project was to build an airport that would not only improve the state’s connectivity to national and international markets, but would also serve as a gateway for agriculture, commerce, and tourism to fuel local businesses.
Addressing the claimants, the special adviser to the governor on Geographic Information System, Lands and Survey, Prof. James Olaleye, said the compensation served as indemnity against losses suffered by the land owners, which he said would help in putting a soothing balm on their pains.
“I hope those concerned will understand the genuine efforts of the present government to bring all their worries to the past. I hereby assure all the claimants who are being owed compensations for other project sites, that very soon all their dues will be settled.
“Let me urge our people to refrain from disturbing ongoing projects through threats of violence and other acts that may hinder the peace of the state,” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, Chief Ojo Awe and Mr. Olufemi Oso, commended the governor for being sympathetic to the plights of the land owners through expeditious payments of the pending compensation.
Source: blueprint
