Avert Religious Crisis On Ilesa Road Project – Monarch Begs Adeleke

Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, has appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke and the contractor handling the dualisation of Ereja Square to Brewery Road in Ilesa to avert a possible religious crisis over the project.

Governor Adeleke had in April this year flagged off the construction of the road awarded to Horizon Nigeria Limited and Showie-tee Global Services Limited at the cost of N16.5 billion with a duration of 12 months.

As demolition of buildings on the road is currently ongoing, residents of Ilesa have accused the contractors of bias as some buildings, including religious centres marked for demolition, were allegedly spared.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday at the palace square after a stakeholders’ meeting, the monarch, represented by the Obaala of Ijesaland, Chief Ibitoye Adeniyi, demanded that the contractors liaise with the palace committee to help them execute the project successfully.

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Owa Obokun said, “Our concern over the ongoing dualisation projects is the alleged selective demolition of properties marked for such action. We have heard that some places of worship, including the mosque around Ereja Square have been spared while some that were not marked at all are about to be demolished. These issues are about to create a crisis which the palace is not comfortable with.

“We therefore appeal to the contractors and the State Government to, in the interest of Ilesa town ensure objectivity in the execution of the project. We don’t want any religious crisis whatsoever. We also appeal to Governor Adeleke to help talk to the contractor to ensure timely delivery of the project.”

The monarch also appealed to Ilesa residents, including homeowners to remain calm as the matter would be resolved amicably to ensure contractors adhere strictly to the contract specification.

Adeleke had, in a statement in June, assured the Muslim Community in Ilesa that construction work would not affect the Central Mosque at Ereja Square.