SET to inject new lease of life to the existing but collapsing infrastructure within the metropolis, the Ogun State Government has kicked-started the reconstruction of Ibara-Totoro Road project in the state capital, within Abeokuta township corridor.Coming as the state's urban renewal project that will boost living standard of the inhabitants and provide opportunities for investors. This is one of the many road projects, Governor Amosu's led administration had already outlined to be delivered in few months.Estimated to cost N1.3 billion, the 2.4-kilometre long Ibara-Tororo project has been awarded to Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as the main contractor.The road project is being designed as a-six lane expressway, street light, sidewalk and covered drainage facility as well as provision for green area that would provide aesthetics and environmental values after completion.The project that is already commenced with the removal of illegal structure last week has a nine-month duration, which means it is expected to complete by August 2012.Speaking on the urban renewal exercise, Ogun State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, said that the exercise was predicated on the desire of Governor Ibikunle Amosun's administration to give the state a befitting capital city where infrastructure and social amenities functioned effectively.According to Adegbite, the Ibara-Totoro Road was a pilot scheme that would determine the way and modality the government would employ in achieving its goals on road reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes.'The most delicate issue is the imperative of removal of illegal structure dotted the right of ways (ROAs). And knowing fully well how delicate the issue is, government want to employ the most human face approach, whereby, it would receive people's support and confidence,' said the commissioner, adding that most of the people would receive compensation for their affected properties.Although, he refused to disclose the number of the would-be beneficiaries and the amount budgeted for compensation, but assured that 'Governor Ibikunle Amosun, out of human kindness, has decided to offer compensation'.However, the compensation is in two types: those that would receive financial compensation and those that would be relocated at government's expense.'The rationale behind the different approach is to avoid a situation where people will receive money and come back to erect structure again, thereby turn the area into a slum.'But by the time we pay such money, we will ensure that nobody comes back. We are more comfortable with those that would prefer relocation because that would ensure that they would not be tempted to come back.'While commending government's relocation exercise, some residents urged quick and adequate compensation to the affected residents.Speaking with The Guardian, Mr. Mustapha Musibau, who resides in one of the buildings at Oke Sokori, Ibara said that government's gesture was good and welcome, 'but we would expect government to complete the enumeration and compensation before embarking on demolition so that some of the affected residents would continue with their lives somewhere else.'Another resident, who identified himself simply as 'Prince Oyeyemi' expressed similar sentiment. To him, residents were powerless because government invoked Land Use Act and nobody could challenge that. 'However, we want government to speed up the payment of compensation. 'Many of us have nowhere to go but if the money were paid on time, we would look for alternative. We support the project. It is for the good of all of us and yet to be born generation.'To this request, Adegbite said that government was aware of the need for quick action. But the truth is that we want to seize the opportunity of the current clement weather condition to continue the work, while the process for payment is also ongoing. The nine month target is non-negotiable,' said the commissioner.
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