Traders protest proposed market demolition

Traders in the Retail Market, Ogba, Lagos
State, on Tuesday protested against a
proposed demolition and reconstruction
of the market by the Ojodu Local Council
Development Area.
When PUNCH Metro visited the market,
virtually all the shops were locked, just as
the traders sang protest songs, carrying
placards in their hands.
The protest started with a meeting of the
affected persons within the market before
the protesters moved to the Lagos State
Television in Agidingbi, Ikeja.
They said their opinions were not sought
on the planned demolition and they were
only presented with a fait accompli.
They said they had paid their tenement
rate of N7,020 per annum and deserved
to be consulted by the Ojodu LCDA.
The protest train moved to the state
Assembly complex where they were told
the assembly was on recess.
Afterwards, the crowd moved to the
residence of the Iyaloja of Lagos, Mrs
Folashade Tinubu-Ojo and were assured
of quick intervention.
One of the market women, who identified
herself as Mrs. Adeoba, wondered why
the government could take the decision
without first informing the traders.
She said, “I have been in this market since
1985. It was on Friday, last week, that our
market leader called me to say the local
government intended to demolish our
market and build a new one.
“She later called all of us, and said the
new shops would sell for about N7m and
those of us who already own shops would
only be given discount if we could
present evidence.”
A tailor in the market, Mr. Soliu Adiatu,
60, said the government was against the
poor by the decision.
He said, “I got wind of the information
yesterday (Monday). They have been
demolishing markets in Lagos, and
sending out the poor. They sell at high
prices to the rich. It is very wrong. And I
think government should be for people
like us.”
When our correspondent approached the
market leader, Alhaja Ganiyat Kasumu,
she said she was going for a meeting and
would reserve her comment.
She, however, cautioned the marketers to
carry on with the protest peacefully and
ensure that it did not degenerate into
violence.
She said, “I just think what we need at
this point in our market is patience and
we should be peaceful. There is little or
nothing anybody can do about this. But
we should remain hopeful for the best.”
The Manager of Ojodu LCDA, Mrs Grace
Olaopin, was also not available for
comments as she neither picked her calls
nor responded to a text message sent to
her telephone by one of our
correspondent.
Source :punch