Oyo State Acting Governor, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, has said the ongoing Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road will create new economic opportunities and accelerate development across six local government areas of the Ibadan metropolis.
Lawal made the disclosure on Monday after inspecting the ongoing Phase 2 of the 110-kilometre circular road project, saying the state government was determined to ensure that the project was delivered to the required standards.
The six local government areas expected to benefit directly from the project are Oluyole, Ido, Egbeda, Ona-Ara, Lagelu and Akinyele.
According to the Acting Governor, about 32 kilometres of the dual carriageway had been completed and asphalted, with streetlights and toll gates already installed.
He described the circular road as a major infrastructure project capable of transforming the physical and economic landscape of Ibadan, stressing that its impact would extend beyond road transportation.
“This is a mega project this state has not witnessed in a long time, both in old and present Oyo State. The whole essence is about the development of Oyo State,” Lawal said.
He also dismissed allegations that the project was aimed at taking residents’ lands, insisting that the government was committed to protecting the interests of affected property owners.
Lawal assured landowners whose properties had been legitimately acquired for the project that they would be compensated, provided they had registered their claims with the appropriate authorities.
He said the government was already working on the compensation process and that funds would be released once the relevant cost assessments were completed and submitted.
“No inch of land acquired through this project will be left uncompensated. As long as our people get registered, all lands affected by the project will be compensated,” he stated.
The Acting Governor urged residents to disregard misinformation surrounding the project and personally inspect the construction works to appreciate its scope and potential benefits.
He said the circular road had brought six local government areas previously regarded as peripheral to the development mainstream of the Ibadan metropolis.
Lawal noted that the project would boost investment, improve connectivity and promote social and economic integration across the affected areas.
He disclosed that contractors had assured the government that the 32-kilometre Badeku section would be completed by the end of September and made ready for commissioning.
He further revealed that work on the hydraulic bridges had been completed, while clearance activities were ongoing ahead of the next phase of construction.
The Acting Governor expressed confidence that Phase 2 of the circular road would be completed before the end of the present administration.
He added that the project had been designed with modern facilities, including lay-bys, toll gates and a medical bay, describing it as a world-class road infrastructure.
Lawal also inspected ongoing projects at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, which he said were expected to be completed by November.
He was accompanied during the inspection by the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hon. Magbonjubola Jagaban, and other senior government officials.
