By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

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Aggrieved  landlords and indigenes of Ijoka area of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, on Thursday protested against  government’s delay and unwillingness to  pay compensations for their demolished buildings.

The buildings, numbering about 100, acquired in overriding public interest in 2016, were demolished six years ago to give way for the construction of a car park, now converted to a Bus Terminal by the state government.

The expansive area was demolished by the administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose, when the construction of the ultra modern Ado Ekiti Central market commenced.

The spokesman of the carrying protesters, Mr. Kehinde Adeosun,  said the foot-dragging in payment  of their dues, had rendered many homeless and brought trauma to  property owners in that axis.

“The existence of Ijoka Community dated back 1300. The community until its demolition in 2016 was the commercial nerve centre of Ado Ekiti where traders are making millions of naira daily.

“We want to stress  that all other communities and towns acquired after the demolition of our community had received compensations from the state government. A critical example is the land acquired for the construction of airport within the State capital and other towns where their owners had received compensations.

“The trauma on our members as a result of this neglect had caused a lot of havoc and psychological distress. We plead that the state government should pay us our entitlements”.

Also lamenting the delay, an 80-year old former labour leader, Mr. Isa Isola Bello, said the community had written series of letters to Governor Kayode Fayemi and  the Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, who is also an Ado Ekiti indigene, but all efforts were fruitless.

“We have written series of letters, which were officially acknowledged, but they did nothing. We are all loyal APC members, so enough is enough. We voted for APC in 2018. The APC got one of  the highest votes in Ado Ekiti here. Within seven days, if they don’t pay, we will take decisive actions”.

The Youth leader of Ijoka, Hon. Olasehinde Omotoso, said it was unfortunate for the government to be spending billions on projects in the area , while failing to pay compensations due to them .

“Fayose applied partisanship and gave compensations to only ten landlords before he left,  why should I suffer when I am an APC member? The governor should give us our money within seven days. If they fail, we will take whatever actions we want to take”.

One of the Engineers constructing the Bus Terminal, Kolawole Bankole, assured that their messages would be taken to government for proper actions, assuring that the governor has not forgotten them.