By Kayode Adeoti
The Kwara State Government has paid N9.5million compensation to owners of lands that were revoked for the construction of urbanisation centre in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
Cheques were issued to the affected land owners on Thursday in Ilorin by the Director General of the Bureau of Lands, Alhaji Ibrahim Salman.
In his speech, the DG said government is the owner of every land and has the right to revoke it for the benefit of the public.
He added that about 75 hectares of lands were collected saying that the purpose was to ensure even distribution of developmental project in the state.
He noted that the only way an area could experience development is when projects are sited there, urging the affected land owners to partner with the state government.
He added that whenever government takes up land for developmental use, it is incumbent it pays compensation to members of the community who were initially in possession of such landed property.
“Government action is not to inconvenient some people but to develop the land. Those whose lands have been collected will be compensated with cheques. The compensation shows that people co-owned the land with government.
“The purpose of compensation is in line with the law as there are laid down procedures in the land use law of 1978 for government to acquire land. This law also recognise those who are keeping custody of the land.
“If government desires to take up any land, we’re required to dialogue with them, value their facilities, then pay them compensation so that they can vacate the land and that’s what we have done.
“The acquired lands will be used for Urban renewal,” Salman disclosed.
Speaking further, he said work will commence on the acquired lands soon while urging members of the community to desist from litigation, saying such development will not help the situation.
He said, “Those who have filed suits in court should go and withdraw it and anyone intending to do so should desist as such will not help matter. We have about 75 hectares of land that has been taken for industrial use in Irepodun area.”
