The redevelopment of the Alaba Rago market went underway on Monday, with the Chairman of the Local Government Princess RamotRachel Adedayo Oseni, urging the people to continue to support the state government’s urban renewal aspirations.
Unveiling the new proposed market to stakeholders made up of traditional rulers, led by the Oniba of Iba Oba Adedayo Oseni, leaders of the Hausa traders community, led by the Seriki Hausawa of Iba, Alhaji Umaru Sokoto, Igbo and Yoruba traders at the Iba Town Hall, Princess Oseni said the project which would be delivered within 18 months is aimed at improving the trading conditions at the market which she said has remained deplorable.
She said: ”The present condition in our markets have remained an embarrassment and is grossly unbefitting of the megacity and emerging smart city state like Lagos. That is why we are happy that a developer would like to work with us in improving the standard of the market.”
She therefore urged all traders in the market to cooperate with the contractor in order to ensure that the pace of the project is not impeded.
In his good will message a community leader and former Commissioner for Rural Development Mr Cornelius Ojelabi urged the people, especially the Hausa community to support the aspirations of the council.
Former Commissioner for Agriculture Hon Toyin Suarau lauded the council for the courage to embark on the ambitious project.
Suarau who was a one time Chairman of the local government and former member House of Assembly, regretted that he could not embark on the project in his time as a result of paucity of funds and stiff resistance of the traders.
He therefore pleaded with them not to scuttle the redevelopment idea as it remains the only way to bring development to the area and improve the quality if life of people in the local government.
Suarau allayed the fears of traders saying no one would be displaced once the project is finished.
Another community leader Hon Adio Saheed, said the contractor should abide with whatever agreement it reaches with the people and ensure that the prices of the new shops are not beyond the reach of the people.
The contractor DC Engineering Ltd. said the project which has six types of shops, a block of 12 warehouse, has 7,500 9m2 all en suite shops, 2,630 Kee klamps, sickbay, police station, fire station, a food court, banking arena and a 30 room hotel for the comfort of travellers bringing goods to the market.
The project also have two open arena for cattle and birds and poultry traders, with round the clock electricity supply and CCTV camera to further strengthen security. The project also have a trailer park.
The contractor said when completed, the project would improve the aesthetics of Iba and attract new investments.
The project, which would be delivered in phases according to the contractor will create no fewer than 5,000 jobs whether directly or indirectly.
Speaking on behalf of the people, Oba Goriola Oseni thanked the LCDA for bringing the massive development during his own reign.
He said all residents are happy about the development and are looking forward to the time when the first phase would be delivered to his people.
”All of us here in Ibatown are one, whether Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa and we all love development. We are happy that the LCDA and this developer is bringing this development to Iba town and we shall do everything in our power to support it as it promises to change the lives of our people forever,” Oba Oseni said.