By Yinka Olumide
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat on Thursday, expressed their displeasure at the decay of infrastructure at Alaba International Market and the Trade Fair complex, both of which are located in Lagos West senatorial district of the state.
They bare their minds at a parley midwife by the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, with leaders of the two main markets, promising to bring development to the areas.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the discussion was aimed at fostering collaboration with the traders and to carry them along in the plans of the government.
The Governor expressed dismay at the conditions under which businesses were conducted in the markets, expressing disappointment over the state of roads and absence of relevant public facilities around markets.
Sanwo-Olu said his administration will invest massively in infrastructure that would improve the quality of lives and commercial activities in the area.
“As a government, we are taking up the responsibility to design an all-inclusive model that will improve the economic wellbeing of people around the markets. Once we put infrastructure in place, not only would businesses flourish, employment will also be created.
”Aside constructing network of roads surrounding the markets, the Governor said part of the Government’s long-term plans was also to complement the efforts with provision of amenities, including fire stations, clinics, general hospitals and security units that would aid commercial activities in the markets.
Sanwo-Olu said the market leaders agreed to work with the Government on documenting all businesses in their respective jurisdictions, which would facilitate easy payment and collection of tax and levies for developmental purposes.
The Governor said: “We had conversations around being socially responsible. So we will see the traders living up to the expectations in terms of doing what they are meant to be doing to support government in the areas of their taxes, rates and levies. We also want to eliminate multiple taxations; any agency that is not meant to be around the market will be stopped.
“We also discussed security issues, and I assured that government would help to improve on the security of lives and properties in the area and the state in general. We will address the menace of Okada riders all around those markets. We will also ensure that the work that is going on around Lagos-Badagry Expressway is well coordinated, so that they can have some relief at various periods of the day, even when construction is going on.”
The Governor said the meeting would not be the last in his engagement with the market leaders, pointing out that Chairmen of local councils in which the traders operate would be invited to subsequent discussions before the start of regeneration work across the markets within the senatorial district.
Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, hailed Sanwo-Olu for partnering with the market leaders to drive the regeneration programme, saying the Governor understood the importance of engagement in leadership.
According to him, “Fidelity Bank was one of the first banks to open in the area and we understand their challenges from the extensive engagements we do have with them. We bank most of them and when there are issues we come together to interact and find solutions. This is exactly the approach that Governor Sanwo-Olu is using today.
The Governor has outlined a course of action and we also use our knowledge of their needs and working in collaboration with the government, to come up with a model that will work for all stakeholders. The traders are ready to take this collaboration to the end and make sure they have better market conditions so when they want to pay their taxes, they will pay them happily.”
President General of Alaba Amalgamated, Chief Fabian Ezeojika, said the discussion with the Governor and his Deputy was fruitful, promising to mobilise traders to respect the agreement made with the State Government.
Markets and dealers represented at the meeting included Alaba International Market; Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA); BBA Trade Fair; Alaba Fancy and Furniture Dealers, and Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (EDAN), among others.