The organisation described it as an “egregious violation of the rights of the people”.
Human rights organisation Take It Back Movement has lamented an attempt by the Oyo State Government to take ownership of people’s land for its Circular Road Project.
The organisation described it as an “egregious violation of the rights of the people”.
A statement by the Take It Back National Coordinator, Sanyaolu Juwon, on Sunday, said, “The proposed expansion of the road setback from 150m to 500m is the government’s attempt to profit from the land at the expense of local residents. This is an abuse of power and an affront to the rights of the people of Oyo State.
“The displacement of people of these communities (Adepo, Egbeda Atuba Road, Gbada, Ajia) would not only cause severe financial hardship, but it has resulted in immense emotional distress.
“These people have deep roots in their communities, and they are rightfully afraid of losing everything they have. The government’s actions have caused many to suffer from anxiety and depression, and some have even died from the stress of this situation. This is a grave injustice that must be rectified immediately.
“It is quite ridiculous that the Seyi Makinde government is choosing to prioritize its own interests over the needs of the people. Rather than putting the people’s interest at heart, the government is instead causing them further distress by ignoring their concerns and moving forward with the project anyway.
“This callous disregard for the people it is meant to serve is unacceptable, and we demand that the government reconsider its position.
“This is not the first time that the Seyi Makinde government has shown a lack of concern for the people of Oyo State. Time and time again, it has prioritized its own interests over the needs of the people. It is clear that this government does not have the best interests of the people at heart.
“The indigenous people and elders of the communities affected have provided compelling historical evidence to prove that the circular road plan was already finalized under the previous government.
“They were given assurances that the plan would proceed as agreed, and they did not expect that their lands would be seized by the current government. This is an affront to the trust and goodwill that was established between the people and the government, and it cannot be allowed to stand.”
During a protest in the area, one of the residents said, “They want to cheat us. They should have mercy on us. A pregnant woman fell yesterday while rushing here when the demolition started and went into labour immediately but the child died immediately after it was born. Do they want to kill us? What is it? Seyi Makinde wants to cause trouble in the land.”
Another resident said, “We are not satisfied with what is happening. Many people have died here. I fell while rushing here when I got a call that they were demolishing structures in my community. We were not told that the circular road project would get to our area when we came here. But now they are extending it beyond what it was meant to be.”
Another resident said there was a section “we were told not to build on but some people went and built there”. “They are the ones who are removing their property now along that right of way, not even the government,” he said.
He, however, added that the government was extended the right of way beyond what was agreed 23 years ago.
Juwon said, “Accordingly, we call on the government to honour the original agreement and refrain from taking any further action on the Circular Road project.
“The government must hold public hearings, establish an independent commission, create a comprehensive plan, and commit to no forced demolition. We also call on the government to compensate the residents of the affected communities for the disruptions and distress caused by this situation.”
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