Protest Rocks Ekiti Airport Project Over Alleged Unpaid Compensation

..Protesters Give Fayemi 7 Days Ultimatum

..We ‘ill Investigate -Govt

By Gbenga Sodeinde

A 7 days Ultimatum  has been slammed on Dr. Kayode Fayemi by protesting communities to address the irregularities and imbalances trailing  the payment of those whose farms and houses  were affected by the on going airport project in Ekiti state.

Although, the Government has come out to deny the allegations  saying all dued compensations has been paid, the group consisting of all the affected  communities has continue to berate the governor over what they term insensitive comment.

The affected people of the communities namely Igbemo, Aso Ayegunle, Bolorunduro, Igbogun, Araromi Obo, Iwajo and Ijan allegedly lost about 4,400  hectares of lands and even houses, trooped out today, Monday morning in their numbers to expressed their displeasure at the position of the  government  for not living up to its obligations in paying for damages incurred by the people following their unavoidable displacement and destruction of their farms.

The affected people who were displaced and dispossessed of their farms produces came out in their large numbers carrying banners and placards with  inscriptions demanding full payment for the loss of their homes and farmlands.

The banners which read: ” Fayemi don’t do partiality, commissioner for Land and Housing pay our money, we are hungry give us our compensation , Our children are hungry” amongst others.

The aggrieved protesters accused the state government  of unfaithfulness  whilst  demanding  full compensation within 7 working days or face unsavory outcome.

Mr. Osho Olorunfemi who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved protesters maintained that they are ready to go to any length  in recovering  what belongs to them.

The  protesters said, though there were some that have been paid among those people whose names were in the list, but they claimed majority of the affected person which included them were excluded or ignored  despite having their names on the list.

“In 2016, when Fayose damned all consequences by destroying our homes and farms without prior information, we challenged it in the court of law and 5 million naira was awarded against the Fayose administration  for invading our land without permission.

“The court also ordered  that the government  meet us to follow due process in procuring the land. But Fayose as he is went to appeal the judgement and it dragged on until Fayemi came in 2018 and begged that  the matter be taken from the court so as to facilitate a meeting to reach common ground.

“We agreed in the meeting for compensation  to the total amount of 565 million naira approved by the court for damages. A list  comprising of all affected persons was released and few were  paid leaving out the larger part of those affected.

“We were told to be patient that  the rest will be sorted out on or before August only to hear on various news outlets that all payments have been made to all affected individuals”

“Mr. Osho said  they didnt believe it at first and term it a rumour not until the governor made the infamous declaration again during a meeting which had Ewi of Ado Ekiti in attendance. On 15th of October 2021, the governor declared that he will no longer continue any payment.

“Governor Fayemi practically declared that day in his office during the meeting that  he is owing nobody again concerning the areas acquired for the airport. It was a rude shock to us because one will not think  a man as learned as Fayemi will going back on his initial agreement.

If our demands our not met within 7 days, we will invoke the spirit of the ancestors and the gods of the land against Fayemi and all those working on this site. They risk epilespsy, unexplainable  diesases and traditional  attacks. We will invoke the gods and spirits to attack the  workers and the land  and it will not be palatable “

He therefore, on behalf of other aggrieved members gave Governor Fayemi 7 days to fulfill  his part of the agreement  by ensuring all affected individuals  get full compensation  for their damaged farms and Houses or face the full wrath of the people.

Reacting, the Government speaking through the state commissioner For Imfomation, Hon. Akin Omole urged  the people to be calm while the government  investigates what might went wrong in the process.

” If the government said we paid and the affected people are saying they have not been paid, it is not what we can address expressly just like that,

“We have to go and investigate  and them come back to address  it. I appeal to the people to continue to maintain peace.

“We will go back and see where things have gone wrong and come back to address it.” , The Commissioner added.