Encomium
ENCOMIUM Weekly visited Mushin Local Government Area on Friday, July 3, 2015, in a bid to seek the reaction of the Executive Secretary, Hon. Babajide Bello but our efforts towards that were futile as he was said not to be on seat.
We, however, got access to the Information Officer of the council, Mr. Segun Akinyemi who swiftly reacted to the issue and all the allegations leveled against the local government by the traders.
“We’re not aware of what you’re saying. No one looted their shops. Nothing was stolen. It’s all a blatant lie. But on the redevelopment proposal by the local government, there is no going back on that. We are not shifting our position.”
He, therefore, referred us to the details of the council boss’ reaction on the matter in one of the dailies which reads: “The council’s plan as contained in an agreement reached with the traders, was to redevelop the market in phases which construction is to last three to five months.
“Therefore, to commence the redevelopment plan, bulldozer of the developer moved in on Tuesday, business activities had continued in the Ladipo Market unhindered and the traders are presently at their stalls carrying out their business transactions.
“The local government decided to redevelop the market, which had become an eyesore due to the unwholesome activities of some of the traders and the degradation of the surrounding which did not fit into the mega city plans of the state.
He said the local government intended to undertake the development of the market in phases and because of that, had not collected any form of rent from the traders in the market since the beginning of 2015.
“We assure the traders that current owners of stalls would be given priority as long as they can provide valid ownership papers once the construction is completed,” he was quoted to have said.
– TADE ASIFAT
