By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Oyo State Government on Thursday commenced the first batch of N264 million as compensation to property owners affected by the Senator Rasheed Adewolu Circular Road corridor.
The presentation of cheques was held at the conference room, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Agodi Ibadan.
The Metro reports that the government had earlier conducted an identification and verification exercise for the property owners on the corridor of the project after which their property was valued for the compensation.
In a remark, the commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Akin-funmilayo Williams, explained that the state government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde had earmarked the sum of N264million for the first batch as compensation to the affected claimants.
He added that the state government considered it important to compensate land owners who were affected by the construction of the road, adding that the road would add value to the state.
Hon. Akin-Funmilayo said the state government and affected property owners ensured proper scrutiny of the list.
The Commissioner urged property owners with genuine documents to approach the Ministry for adequate compensation.
“The Governor has earmarked the sum of N264 million as compensation to the affected claimants in the first batch of this exercise”, he said.
A claimant, Mr. Salawu Abiola, expressed gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde for his unprecedented achievement and empathy towards the affected property owners.