By Adeyinka Aderibigbe
The Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area Chairman Engr Abdul Fatai Oyesanya, has allayed the fear of traders protesting against the demolition of Jakande Fruits Market, saying that no legitimate shop owners will be deprived of ownership of their shops on completion of reconstruction of the market.
Oyesanya gave this assurance during a media chat in his office on Friday.
The council chairman, while responding to questions on the rationale behind the demolition and reconstruction of the market, submitted that the market has been in existence for over 50 years with an obsolete and unstructured design, that is not in conformity with the present mega city status of Lagos State.
He added that the remodelled market will add value to the value of real estate as it will replace the ramshackle stalls presently in the market.
Oyesanya added that the market renewal initiative further underscore the value his administration places on the well-being of the people, assuring that all necessary and lawful steps had been taken before awarding the contract for reconstruction of the market to a renowned developer, Total Value Intergrated Services.
He explained further that as a responsible and responsive government, series of meetings on the reconstruction plan were held between the council authority and the market leadership on one hand and between the developer and the market leadership on another hand. Oyesanya added that the council also ensured that relevant organs of government in Lagos State like the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Ministry of Justice and Office of the Auditor General For Local Governments were duly informed about the plan.
He reminded the aggrieved traders that under the fourth schedule of 1999 constitution of Nigeria, local governments are saddled with the responsibility of establishment , maintenance and regulation of markets and collection of rates in such markets.
Oyesanya explained further that the gains to be derived from the reconstruction are many, while submitting that the protesting traders are not genuine shop owners in the market.
He submitted that if the reconstruction of the market is allowed to see the light of the day,it will improve the revenue base of the council and also the economic gains of traders in the market.
The council chairman also submitted that the reconstruction will give the road network in and out of the market a facelift,as well as the environmental and health condition of the market.
The council chief concluded that the security situation in the market presently is porous because of the unorganized structure of the market, adding that there have been series of reports of rape, physical assault and armed robbery by street urchins who used the market as their haven.
Among key officials of the council that witnessed the press briefing are, the Leader of the council Legislature,Hon Ajibola Usman Akanni, the Secretary to the council, Engr Dolapo Bashiru and the council manager,Prince Olujobi Adegbola.