The Commissioner of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development in Oyo State, Mr. Williams Akin-Funmilayo, assured that the Baywood Estate project will not encroach upon the Agodi Botanical Gardens.
Akin-Funmilayo clarified that while the gardens occupy 9.11 hectares, the planned housing estate will utilize a separate 46.3-hectare forested area behind the gardens.
Emphasizing the importance of dispelling confusion among residents, he conducted a tour to highlight the distinction between the two sites.
Reaffirming the commitment to preserving Agodi Gardens as a legacy, Akin-Funmilayo debunked rumors of tree-cutting, asserting that 80% of the forest’s trees would be retained for the housing project.
He underscored the proactive decision to transform the forest into a housing estate due to security concerns, citing incidents of criminal activities.
The commissioner emphasized that this development aims to address housing deficits in the state.
Akin-Funmilayo also addressed environmental concerns, noting that the Baywood Estate project values tree preservation, as reflected in its name.
He assured residents that reforestation efforts would compensate for any casualties during infrastructure development.
The commissioner clarified that Agodi Gardens will remain untouched, with plans to upgrade it into an international botanical garden under the Governor ‘Seyi Makinde administration.
In response to the security challenges posed by the forest, Akin-Funmilayo justified the government’s decision to enhance the environment by providing housing, rather than maintaining a habitat for criminals.
He emphatically stated that there is no intention to convert Agodi Garden into a housing estate, emphasizing the government’s commitment to upgrading it for the benefit of the people of Oyo State.
