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By Emmanuel Adeleke
Oyo State Government has debunked the reports making rounds that it has converted Agodi Gardens to a housing estate.
Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Williams Akin-Funmilayo, who described the report as baseless and untrue, said that mischief makers are trying to bring an unnecessary distraction to the state government and nullify the laudable achievements recorded so far.
He said the government values reforestation and afforestation, and as such, would not convert Agodi gardens into a residential estate.
Akin-Funmilayo, who said the governor did not give any order to his office for the conversion of Agodi Gardens to a housing estate, stressed that the large expanse of land to be converted to Baywood Estate does not include the Agodi Gardens.
He noted that the state government has plans to upgrade the garden to an international standard, such that it will compete with other botanical gardens across the globe.
The commissioner urged the general public to disregard any rumour on the sales of Agodi Gardens, assuring that the proposed Baywood Estate by the state government will not encroach into Agodi Gardens.
“The reason government is intending to convert the forest into a housing estate is to make the place more secure, as the place is a death zone harbours many criminals and where many innocent lives have been lost.
“Anybody that is in doubt of what the government want to do around that corridor should come to the ministry for further clarifications.
“We, therefore, call on the public to disregard any information related to the conversion of Agodi Botanical Gardens to an estate, as the government is determined to protect public places in the best interest of its citizens and residents of the state,” he said.