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Industrial Park: Kwara Pays N500m To Customary Land Owners
Over 1000 customary land owners, land purchasers and farmers whose hectares of land were acquired for the extension of the ongoing Industrial Park at Eiyenkorin, off Old Ogbomoso Road have received a sum N500million from the Kwara State government.
The payment of the compensation money, according to the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Geographic Information Service KWGIS,, Abdulkareem Babatunde Sulyman, should not be interpreted as if the government was buying the acquired hectares of land.
He declared that the compensation was paid in line with constitutional provisions to extinguish subsisting rights on the land.
Executive Chairman made the clarification in Ilorin at the flag off of presentation of cheques to the three categories of people directly linked to the 2,100 hectares of land that the state government acquired for the industrial park.
He said the hectares of land spanned 15 communities in Asa Local Government Area of the state.
The KWGIS boss noted that the compensation was to settle affected claims, improvements and interests for the beneficiaries in fulfilling the legal requirements for public acquisition.
He stated that the ongoing construction of industrial park was designed to improve the agricultural, industrial and economic developments of the state and the host communities.
He added that the project was in accordance with the developmental strides of the state government.
The Governor of Kwara State, in line with his developmental strides, approved the release of over N500Million to settle all affected claims, improvements and interests for over one thousand beneficiaries in fulfilling the legal requirements for Public Acquisition.
The Director, Land Services of KWGIS, Abdulwahab Abdulkareem, who addressed the gathering earlier, recalled that the government retrieved the land since 1976.
He said the state government notified the land claimants prior to the process of paying compensation to them.
Director, Land Services of KWGIS,, implored the host communities for collaboration, expressed optimism that the project would facilitate and quicken infrastructural development in the area.
He said the government is committed to building an Industrial park along Eiyenkorin. But before the government can secure the land, there is need to meet stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Uthman Abubakar-Jos, said the orderliness with which the compensation was made for the beneficiaries, was an indication that there won’t be any dispute afterward.
He praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the management of Kwara State Geographic Information Service KWGIS, for ensuring a seamless payment process.
Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin,commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the orderliness and well arranged compensation being paid here now. He is being appreciated because of the fact that payment was categorized.
One of the beneficiaries, Garuba Aremu Galadima, expressed delight that the hectares of land were acquired for the development of the state.
By Abubakar Umar
