Some traders affected by the ongoing demolition of Agboju
Market in Festac Town, Lagos, have blamed market leaders for “insincerity” over
the exercise.
Bulldozers moved in on Friday and began pulling down the
structures in the market just as the traders started displaying their goods for
sale.
Some of the affected traders told the newsmen that the issue
of the demolition had been ongoing between the state government and the
traders.
They, however, expressed shock over the exercise which
occurred before the seven-day quit notice issued them expired.
Mr Uzo Thomas, trader, said they assumed the demolition
would be done on Monday after the notice elapsed on Sunday.
“To our surprise, Friday morning, we were displaying our
goods, we just started hearing, ‘pack, pack,’ we thought it was a joke.
“Before we knew it, bulldozers started bringing everything
down,” he said.
Also, Mrs Anulika Chukwu, trader, said last Thursday,
officials of Amuwo Odofin Local Government came to warn the traders not to sell
on the walk ways, which they complied with.
“If we had known beforehand, I wouldn’t have spent the money
I had yesterday buying goods for sale,” she lamented.
However, some other traders said that the land where the
market was situated was a buffer zone, with pipelines running underneath and
electric cables overhead.
Mr Olawale Ashakaba, trader, said: “This is a Federal
Government property, there are pipelines running under here.
“I believe there’s something our leaders are not telling
us,” he said.
Another trader, Mrs Blessing Ogomchi, said: “Nobody knows
exactly what is going on or what is going to happen.
“The leaders haven’t even called a meeting to tell traders
what is going on.
“If indeed there’s going to be a new market, how long will
it take to be completed; how many months or years?”
The Iyaloja General of Amuwo Market, Mrs Osinatu Adebayo,
refuted the allegations, saying there was no foul play.
“No. No, it’s not true.
“The problem is that the market is too rough and the state
government called us to say they want to rebuild it to a modern market.
“They would have finished building it but we’ve been
delaying and begging for more time, ‘please allow us to sell for Christmas’ or
‘please let us sell for Easter’.
According to her, buying and selling will continue as usual,
once the site has been cleared.
Adebayo pledged her commitment to the traders, in ensuring
that they all get shops when the new market is completed.
“My children are also traders here, so I can’t allow things
get spoiled.
“Before outsiders get shops, all the traders will be
considered first,” she said.
Another official, who spoke under anonymity, said he wasn’t
sure how long it would take to complete the project.
He, however, urged the traders not to kick against
modernisation of the market.
All efforts by our correspondent to reach Amuwo Odofin Local
Government Chairman, Mr Valentine Buraimoh, proved abortive as his aide who
picked his calls said he was attending a state function.
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