Osogbo — Osun State Government said it has paid the sum of N600 million in compensation to victims of the recent demolition exercise as part of its urban renewal programme in the state.

The state government had recently embarked on demolition of structures on major high ways in most parts of the state in continuation of its urban renewal programme.

The affected areas include the ongoing dualization of Osogbo/Kwara state boundary road, Gbongan/Ibadan road, Iwo/Osogbo road and Alekuwodo road, all in Osogbo, the state capital.

The state Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Dr Wale Bolorunduro in a chat with newsmen in Osogbo today said the on-going urban renewal programme embarked on by the state government was aimed at giving the state a face lift.

Bolorunduro who assured that the present administration would pay compensation to all the affected people with genuine documents, said the government will not in any way unjustifiably inflict pains on the people of the state.

He said the state government has made necessary arrangements to ensure prompt payment of compensation to all affected victims.

The commissioner also called on the victims of the demolition exercise to see the development as a sacrifice necessary for the rapid socio- economic development of the state, stressing that the government also shares in their grief and pains.