The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has paid compensation worth over N302 million to people whose property will be acquired for the ongoing road construction of Olaiya/Ita Olokan in Osogbo.
Aregbesola who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Titi-Laoye gave the reassurance while distributing cheques worth
N302,966,974.02 to the affected families in the state capital.
He said that his administration will leave no stone unturned at making life more pleasant, comfortable, meaningful and prosperous for the
citizenry in spite of the current dwindling allocation to the state from the Federation Account.
Aregbesola disclosed that his administration has so far spent over N2 billion as compensation for people whose property was acquired for road projects.
The Governor said that all his administrative policies and
programmes are aimed at promoting the general wellbeing of the citizenry, and that all the ongoing projects would be completed before the expiration of his administration.
Aregbesola stressed that the only panacea to the negative effects of current economic hardship was for government at all levels to see the need to improve their state Internally Generated Revenue through tax payment.
He enjoined all and sundry to assist government by paying their taxes.
He advised the beneficiaries of the compensation to use the money judiciously by getting a more comfortable shelter.
“It is important to explain the funding of this project. In the history of Osun, no government has surpassed our record in term of welfare of the workers.
The records are there. Despite the financial challenges, we are struggling hard to meet our obligations regarding the payment of workers salaries.
“When we came to office in 2010, we enacted a law which will allow us save10 percent of the total revenue of the state for the incoming generations and when things appeared difficult, we approached the State House of Assembly to amend the law in other to access the savings to fund this road project which is critical to the economic development of the state.
“Since inception, we have paid over N1 Billion to the people affected by separation within and outside the state capital. The disbursement is not in any way easy but as a government, we have responsibilities to pay compensation to those who have genuine claims to reduce their suffering.”
Speaking earlier, the Ataoja of Osogbo Land, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji commended the state governor for the rapid development of the state capital which he described as unprecedented since the creation of the state and urged the affected people to cooperate with government.
He said those who lost property have paid utmost sacrifice for development adding that their family will be remembered for life in the history of Osogbo land.
Adepoju Almorruf commended the transparent process of the compensation and assured the government of maximum cooperation of the resident in the process of the construction. [myad]
