Traders protest proposed market demolition

The protesters
| credits: Samson Folarin

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.