Flyover Construction: Osun State Govt. Demolishes 200 Shops

The Osun State government has demolished over 200 shops, 50 houses, and portions of several bank buildings in Ile Ife to make way for the construction of a N14.9 billion flyover at Lagere Junction.

The project, which aims to improve infrastructure and ease traffic, has displaced many residents and business owners, who have expressed concerns about the adequacy of compensation and support provided.

Affected business owners have shared their distressing experiences, including the sudden loss of livelihoods. Mrs. Abike Adebayo, a business owner, lamented that her 15-year-old fashion store was demolished without sufficient notice, leaving her with no means to recover. “This demolition has completely shattered my livelihood. I’ve been running my fashion store here for over 15 years, and in just a few hours, everything I’ve worked for was reduced to rubble. I wasn’t even given enough time to move my goods. I don’t know how I’ll recover from this,” she said.

Residents who lost their homes are also grappling with displacement. Tunde Adeola, a resident of Lagere, said, “It’s been devastating. My family has lived in this house for over 20 years, and I’ve run a small grocery shop just outside our home. Now, both my home and my shop are gone. We’re currently staying with relatives, and I have no idea how to rebuild. The compensation is a fraction of what we need to start over.”

Community leader Chief Adebayo Ogunleye criticized the demolition, stating that it has devastated the community, leaving many feeling betrayed. “The impact has been devastating for our community. Many people have lost their homes and businesses, and there is a lot of anger and frustration. While we understand the need for development, the way this demolition was handled has left many of us feeling betrayed,” he said.

The community is trying to support those affected through a fund and talks with the government for better compensation and support. Chief Ogunleye added, “We’re trying to rally the community to support those most in need. We’ve set up a fund to help displaced families, and we’re in talks with the government to try to secure better compensation and more support. But it’s an uphill battle, and many people feel that their voices aren’t being heard.”

The flyover project was flagged off by Governor Ademola Adeleke on May 7, 2024, with a completion timeline of 12 months. The government has also commenced rehabilitation work on 55.86km of local government roads across Ife land at a cost of N30.6 billion.