Flyover Construction: Agony As 200 Shops, 50 Houses, Banks Demolished In Osun (Photos)
No fewer than 200 shops, 50 houses and and portions of several bank buildings have been demolished in Ile Ife, Osun State, Osun Defender reports.
The demolition is part of the ongoing construction of the first flyover in Ile-Ife, located at Lagere Junction.
The project, which comes at a cost of N14.9 billion, necessitated the clearing of structures in the area.
Shops, houses, and bank buildings along Lagere and Iremo roads are currently being torn down to make way for the flyover.
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Osun Defender reports that the demolition has affected several banks, including parts of buildings belonging to EcoBank, Stanbic IBTC, GTB, First Bank, and Access Bank, all located along Lagere Road.
The scope of the demolition has raised concerns among residents and business owners, many of whom have lost their properties and livelihoods as a result of the construction.
Business owners, particularly those with shops along the main roads, have expressed distress over the sudden loss of their establishments, while residents in the affected houses are grappling with displacement.
The project, which intends to improve infrastructure and ease traffic in Ile-Ife, has come at a significant cost to the community, with many questioning the adequacy of the compensation and support provided.
Speaking with Osun Defender, a business owner along Lagere, Mrs. Abike Adebayo, lamented the ongoing construction.
She said, “This demolition has completely shattered my livelihood. I’ve been running my fashion store here for over 15 years, and in just a few hours, everything I’ve worked for was reduced to rubble. I wasn’t even given enough time to move my goods. I don’t know how I’ll recover from this.”
A resident of Lagere, Tunde Adeola, said, “It’s been devastating. My family has lived in this house for over 20 years, and I’ve run a small grocery shop just outside our home. Now, both my home and my shop are gone. We’re currently staying with relatives, and I have no idea how to rebuild. The compensation is a fraction of what we need to start over.”
A community leader, Chief Adebayo Ogunleye while speaking with the medium frowned at the demolition of houses and shops in the area.
He said, “The impact has been devastating for our community. Many people have lost their homes and businesses, and there is a lot of anger and frustration. While we understand the need for development, the way this demolition was handled has left many of us feeling betrayed.”
When asked what steps are they taking to support the affected, he said,” We’re trying to rally the community to support those most in need. We’ve set up a fund to help displaced families, and we’re in talks with the government to try to secure better compensation and more support. But it’s an uphill battle, and many people feel that their voices aren’t being heard.”
Osun Defender recalls that the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 performed the official flag-off for the construction.
The governor at the event, attended by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and top officials of his administration, said the project awarded to Messrs. Sammya Nigeria Limited would be completed within 12 months.
Speaking further at the event, Adeleke disclosed that rehabilitation work has commenced on 55.86km of local government roads across Ife land at the cost of N30.6 billion.
He enumerated various road rehabilitation projects that his administration has completed in the four local government areas in Ife land and assured that no efforts would be spared to improve the state of infrastructural amenities in recognition of the special status of Ile-Ife as the cradle of the Yoruba race.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
