By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
RESIDENTS AFFECTED by the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road project received a measure of relief as the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, extended financial assistance to those whose properties were demolished during the exercise carried out by the Oyo State Government.
The minister, who is also a 2027 governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the support was intended to cushion the hardship faced by displaced residents whose structures were either marked for demolition or removed within the designated 500-metre buffer zone on both sides of the 113-kilometre road corridor.
Speaking in Ibadan during an interactive session with affected residents, Adelabu explained that his intervention was purely humanitarian, emphasising that it was not driven by political motives.
“We are one family in Ibadan. I am a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Oyo State. This is not about politics; it is about restoring hope and easing the pain of our people,” he said.
He announced a ₦25 million donation as the first phase of his relief initiative, aimed at helping displaced residents secure temporary accommodation pending longer-term solutions.
“For this initial phase, I am donating ₦25 million so that some of you can rent temporary apartments. I believe this will provide immediate relief while longer-term solutions are explored,” Adelabu stated.
The minister expressed sympathy for residents who lost lives or sustained injuries during the demolition exercise. He stressed that while infrastructural progress remained crucial for the development of Ibadan and Oyo State, such projects must always be implemented with compassion and regard for human welfare.
“Yes, we all desire development that brings progress to Ibadan and Oyo State. However, it must not come at the expense of human lives and welfare.
“Every development project should have a human face. Progress that disregards people’s well-being ceases to be development,” he said.
Adelabu cautioned against arbitrary demolitions that displace families and render them homeless, reiterating that the role of government must be to protect citizens rather than subject them to undue suffering.
“Government exists to serve the people, not to inflict pain on them. A road corridor can be established, but it must be done responsibly and with compassion,” he added.
During the meeting, local leaders and residents voiced their grievances and appealed for urgent intervention.
The Baale of Asanke Village, Chief Sule Asanke, pleaded with the Minister to intercede by engaging Governor Seyi Makinde to suspend further demolitions until all affected parties are adequately compensated.
“We are deeply hurt that our land has been taken from us, allegedly to be sold to private individuals,” the Baale lamented.
Another resident, Mrs Modinat, emotionally recounted how her home was demolished and her family displaced. She urged Adelabu to intervene and advocate for justice on their behalf.
In response, the Minister assured the community that he would use all available platforms, both at the federal and state levels, to ensure that fairness and due process guide the continuation of the project.
He reaffirmed his readiness to open discussions with Governor Makinde, describing him as “a friend and brother,” to seek a balanced and humane resolution.
Adelabu also appealed to the affected residents to remain calm and law-abiding in expressing their grievances. He warned against resorting to violence or confrontation and encouraged peaceful dialogue as the most effective path toward redress.
“Do not take the law into your hands. All demonstrations must be peaceful and within the bounds of the law. While government authority is supreme, it must always operate with empathy and respect for human dignity,” Adelabu advised.
He added that his office would continue to monitor the situation closely and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure displaced families receive appropriate support.
The minister emphasised that community welfare remains integral to any developmental agenda, urging both the federal and state governments to prioritise human considerations in future infrastructure projects.
The Ibadan Circular Road, a major infrastructural project designed to improve transportation and decongest traffic within the city, has faced controversy in recent months following reports of extensive demolitions across several communities along its route.
Many residents and property owners have raised concerns over alleged inadequate compensation and the humanitarian implications of the ongoing exercise.
Adelabu’s intervention marks the first major relief effort from a high-ranking federal official since the project’s execution began generating public outcry.
His N25 million donation, according to attendees at the meeting, is expected to provide immediate succour to displaced families while further engagements continue between the affected communities and the state government.
Officials at the meeting expressed appreciation for the Minister’s outreach, describing it as a demonstration of empathy and solidarity at a critical time.
Community representatives indicated that the funds would be administered transparently to ensure that the most vulnerable beneficiaries receive prompt assistance for temporary shelter and basic needs.
The Minister concluded by reaffirming his personal commitment to ensuring that developmental projects in Oyo State align with both infrastructural progress and human dignity.
He stated that government initiatives must always reflect fairness, responsibility, and compassion, principles he said would continue to guide his service to the people of Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
The engagement ended with assurances from both parties that dialogue would continue between the communities, the Ministry of Power, and the Oyo State Government to find a sustainable and humane resolution to the challenges caused by the Ibadan Circular Road project.
