By David Adeoye
Ibadan – Property owners occupying government lands at Fasade and parts of Egbeda town in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State, have appealed to the state government not to demolish their houses.
The spokesman of the affected landlords, Mr Michael Adeniyi, made the appeal on Saturday because of the ongoing demolition of unapproved structures built on government lands at Ajoda new town.
According to Adeniyi, appeal remains the only option for the landlords, having realised that the lands actually belong to the government.
“We have resolved to make this passionate appeal to the state government to leave out our community out of the several hectares acquired.
“Some of us bought lands from “Omo-onile“ (indigenous land-owners), who claimed to be real owners and we were not aware that government had acquired the lands from their fore-fathers.
“It is very painful that we find ourselves in this mess and we sincerely plead with government to have mercy on us.
“Some of us are retirees who used our pensions to build these houses and we have nowhere to go if we are ejected finally,” Adeniyi said
A visit by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to Fasade, revealed that more than 500 buildings and shops have been partially demolished.
NAN gathered that a contravention notice had been issued to the affected property owners on several occasions by the State Physical planning and Urban Development Board but the `Omo-onile` asked the landlords to disregard the notice.
NAN investigations revealed that the most popular Omo-onile in the community, known as Olu-omo, had gone into hiding, since the demolitions commenced. (NAN)
banker of the day - FREE banker tips from experts