The governor presented the cheque covering the amount today to the National President of the church, Pastor Gabriel Oladele Olutola.
Receiving the cheque, Pastor Olutola said that the Church is in partnership with the governor in his quest to turn Osun’s fortune around for good, adding that it is as a result of this this that the the church agreed to surrender the branch of the church to enhance free flow of traffic at the Olaiya Junction.
He expressed satisfaction over the decision of the state to compensate the church, saying that governor Aregbesola has distinguished himself as an epitome of transformation and performance.
Olutola said that the leadership of the church found it easy to cooperate with government on the removal of the church building because it has been the principle of the church to abide and support the authority.
”We want to thank God today that the leadership of our church and government of Osun state were able to arrive at a meaningful conclusion that resorted in this compensation.
“Our general principle in the Apostolic Church is respect for constituted authorities and government, because the Holy Book (Bible) teaches us to obey those people in the position of authority. That is why we deemed it fit to release the church for the state to construct road which we believe will serve the general public.
“With this compensation, our Governor has really shown to us his love for peace and passion for development which has manifested and impacted tremendously in the lives of Osun people.
“It is our duty as men of God to pray support and as well assist government in all ramifications for general success, and we are ready to continue in supporting this administration because once government fails, we all fail.
Governor Aregbesola reiterated that his administration remains committed to its resolve to turn the state around through massive infrastructural development and financial re-engineering despite the present cash crunch in the country.
Aregbesola said that the church was valued at sum of N57.9 million and that the state government considered the constant renovation of the church and resolved to add N30 million to its valued cost, amounting to N87.9 million.
The Governor said that his administration had paid over one billion Naira as compensation to people whose property will be affected in the course of development and transformation of the state.
According to him, the state government has also made available N392 million as compensation for another set of 149 bodies that have been identified to have been affected by various constructions going on in the state.
Aregbesola emphasised that people whose property fall between Olaiya-Odiolowo axis will be compensated monetarily, while those around Isale-Osun/Ita Olokan axis would be resettled at Awosuru area in Osogbo.
He pointed out that his government would not in any way trample on the rights of the citizens, even as he acknowledged that time has come for all and sundry to see personal sacrifice as a veritable tool to all-round development.
Governor Aregbesola said that his government has no intention to victimize or disturb people of the state including religious organizations.
“Before our administration, physical planning of our towns and cities was nothing to write home about as the state lacked availability of good access roads. I am confident that this era would go down in history. Our desire is to modernize our towns particularly the state capital and city centres through our urban renewal projects.
“Our joy is in the fact that the leadership of the Apostolic Church of Nigeria has agreed to our request to remove one of its branches in Osogbo for the purpose of upgrading and beatification of the state.
“Our government has set aside N392 million as compensation to our people whose property will be removed in the course of the ongoing reconstruction of Olaiya-Ita Olokan.
“We are doing this in other to give our towns a befitting look and guard against any form of human and vehicular conflict within our cities, dual carriage ways have been the priority of our administration since inception.”
Governor Aregbesola commended the leadership of the church for being part of the state developmental process.
“I thank the leadership of this church for their willingness to be part of the progress of our state, particularly the state capital. We thank God that your church has really cooperated and supported us. In fact, this is win-win for us.
“We pray God to reward the leadership of the church, the members and those who contributed to the success of this agreement.” [myad]
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