The Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Friday expressed his displeasure over the undeveloped 11 hectares of land in the highbrow Samonda GRA in Ibadan as he called on investors to partner the State to develop the land in order to boost the State’s economy.
The view of the governor was expressed by the State Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Abiodun Abdu-Raheem, while on inspection tour to some State’s reserved areas and Samonda Ultra-Modern shopping Complex in Ibadan North Local Government Area in Ibadan.
Abiodun, who noted with disdain how over 11 hectares of land within which the ultra-modern shopping complex was situated, added that the complex would be turned to an annex for the popular Gbagi Market as the wished to turn its condition around to make it have international standard.
He said: “The Governor is not happy that these vast hectares of land is being put to waste when investors can be called in to use it for things that will help grow the State’s economy.
“We have gone around and see that the Samonda Shopping Complex needs some touch of revamping, after which we will work towards making the complex an annex to the Gbagi Market.
“The Ministry will discuss with other concerned Ministries, especially those in charge of the Gbagi Market, to come up with a plan for proper usage of the place as the present administration will not allow resources of the state to go to waste.
“We are calling on well-meaning Nigerians who are interested in partnering the State on this project to come forward with ideas on how to develop the 11 hectares of land for the benefit of the State.”
Abdu-Raheem called on the landlord association of the Samonda (Aerodome) GRA to desist from distorting the plan of the estate by building on waterways and areas mapped out for recreational purposes.
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