By DAUD OLATUNJI
ABEOKUTA—The Ogun State Government  has commenced  payment of  over  N300 million as  compensation to  about 257 people, whose property were affected  in the  2.4km road expansion along Ibara-Sokori-Totoro, Abeokuta, embarked upon to beautify the state capital.

While handling  the cheques  to some of the  victims yesterday  at the  premises  of Bureau of  Land in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta,  Special Adviser to the governor on Lands and Survey, Ronke Sokefun, disclosed that, the least money paid to the victims was N50,000 while saying that, some were paid a sum of N8 million, depending on the valuation undertaken by the  independent estate valuers contracted.

It would be recalled that,  not less than 200 structures were demolished by the state government to pave way for the expansion of a-six lane road, along Ibara-Sokori–Totoro in Abeokuta, leading to the loss of  property by some  landlords and shop owners in the area.

In a bid to placate them, the government had offered each of them, a sum of N50,000, which it  called relocation fees, before it began the final payment of compensation to the victims yesterday.

According to  Sokefun, who also doubled as Director-General, Bureau of  land and survey, the State government  did not intend  to hurt any citizen in the state, but, desires  to rebuild the State to the delight of investors.

She said “ the payment  is based on the valuation undertaken by season estate valuers, we had a consortium. We  didn’t want to be the Judge and the jury, that is why, we decided to bring external people to do the  evaluation, and we decided to be bond by their findings and that is what we are doing today”she said

Commenting further, Sokefun said  a   lot of the  people affected added  sentimental  attachment to most of their  properties located there, because that was their family houses and that was where they

grew up, while saying, that, even the family  houses  of the governor were  affected.

Reacting to the  gesture of the government shortly after he collected N2 million for  the loss of his two-storey building, Oyeleye Alade, begged the government to increase the fund, claiming that, the building was worth N6 million before it was demolished.

Also commenting on the payment of compensation given to his family over the loss of their building along the road, Olatunji Akanbi Ogunbayo whose Bungalow house  was demolished, thanked the government for the gesture.