Following the motion alleging that the Oyo State government plans to acquire lands and buildings belonging to residents of Akinyele local Government, the Oyo State House of Assembly has summoned the Surveyor General and Permanent Secretary, ministry of lands and urban development in the State.
ODUDUWA NEWS Correspondent at the State Assembly gathered that the motion which was raised at the Monday Plenary by Hon. Taofeek Kehinde representing Akinyele 2 State constituency noted that fear gripped inhabitants of Olosaoko, Alabata, Ajibade, Agbedo and Alase villages when they saw strangers parading themselves as Government officials going about with various land measuring instruments in their areas.
He said, “The inhabitants of the mentioned villages are predominantly farmers who have no other means of livelihood other than farm practices. This justifies the cry from the people about the suspicious move by Government to acquire their means of livelihood without prior notice.
“Acquisition or confiscation of property is usually through appropriate processes and procedures as provided by extant laws. Therefore, the government should communicate the people through right channels on the proposed mission, it will benefit the people and of course the State.”
In his own words, the Majority leader of the house and lawmaker representing Ogbomoso South, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin added that the intention of the government is to expand the economy by attracting the dry port, railway and other major projects to the area.
Dele Adeola, lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju while speaking on the motion said he was aligned with the motion to call all stakeholders involved in order to be well briefed on what transpired in the said allegation of acquisition of land. He also used the ocassion to enlighten the residents not to be misled by the rumoured acquisition of 2000 hectares of land as being peddle around and that whatever action taken by the State Government is in line with overriding public interest.
However he insisted Government needed to consult the people and carry them along.
“They should inform the people and hold meeting with community leaders and affected residents,” he added.
The Speaker Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin this ruled for the permanent secretary of the concerned ministry and Surveyor General to appear before the lawmakers to explain the plan of the Oyo State Government