Pay us compensation before demolishing our property, landlords tell Akeredolu

By Osagie Otabor, Akure

Owners of over 30 buildings marked for demolition in parts of Akure, the Ondo state capital have called on Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to pay them compensation before pulling down their buildings.

Officials of the State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development had served the owners of buildings between Investment/Police officer’s mess junction to St Luke’s church to Oluwatuyi roundabout.

The landlords who have been given 21 days to quit the properties before bulldozers moved in alleged that the state government was not following due process of paying neccessary compensation.

Proprietress of 40 years Victory Nursery/Primary School, Chief Victoria Alade, wondered whether the state laws do not have respect for certain sacred lands such as churches, mosques, cemeteries and schools during demolition for road expansion.

In a petition to Governor Akeredolu, Chief Alade said it was inhuman for a quit notice to be issued asking the school to be ready for demolition of its classrooms within 21days.

Chief Alade said no compensation has been paid to the school before notices for demolition was issued.

Alade appealed to Governor Akeredolu to intervene and saved the school that was commissioned by late Chief Adekunle Ajasin and his late wife Bababfunke.

She stated that the property marked for demolition at the school premises was estimated to worth over N700million.

The Proprietress said “that the State government should always look at history, i.e. Victory Nursery/Primary School is one of the first indigenous Nursery/Primary School in Ondo State which legacy ought not to be destroyed at all and one of the legacies left behind by late Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin and his wife.

“The demolition did not affect the school initially but was pushed into the school property by powerful forces that have properties close to the school through political power.

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“That we know your Excellency Sir, have respect for on the aforementioned lands and we appeal to your Excellency on compassionate ground to use your good office to see how the good work ot your Excellency/construction can be carried out without affecting this sacred land i.e. Victory Nursery/Primary School at Oluwatuyi Quarters, Akure.

“That the State Government approved the school, the school has a C of O in respect of their land.

“That the educational law of Ondo State gives laid down rules and procedures for the acquisition of land that belongs to schools,” Mrs Alade appealed.

State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Badmus Rasheed, said quit notices were given for the landlords to meet with State Ministry for Land and Housing for Proper compensation

Rasheed noted that there was no immediate plan to demolish the marked structures in the area.

” Our job is to mark structures for demolition that will obstruct dualisation projects of the state government.

“The Ministry of Lands and Housing would have done estimation of compensation due to every landlord and house owners.

“Government will not demolish without paying compensation.”