Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Tuesday formally handed over the ultra modern 571 shops capacity Isopakodowo Market in Oshodi to the people, informing that 374 allotees have already been resettled in the market out of those who were moved away from the roads and Railway line in Oshodi.
The Governor, who spoke at the formal commissioning in Oshodi added that 50 stalls have been reserved for the Market Women Association as he committed to late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, while the balance would be worked out in due course for the entitled allotees.
He said if the total number of traders who were moved away from the roads in Oshodi which stood at 550 when the total inventory was taken is compared with the total number of shops in the Isopakodowo market which is 571, it means the government still has a surplus to cater for more people.
Describing Oshodi as a major commercial centre, Governor Fashola said in order to strengthen its ability to remain a commercial centre and for empowering women who according to him “are the champions of our entrepreneurship endeavours”, Government would continue its own developmental work in more roads, street lighting, security, community projects and other projects.
Governor Fashola added,” The contractor designed and constructed this magnificent market which is modern in every way and provided it with 22 toilets, security cameras, a borehole for water supply and two generators for uninterrupted power supply”.
He also appealed that on no account should K-Klamp stalls be erected on the open space and parking space in the market, warning that if any of such is erected, it would be dismantled by the State Government.
The Governor emphasized that the open spaces should be preserved to act as a common ground for the traders who could even make use of it as a venue for holding meetings while in the market without disrupting the original lay out plan for the market.
He reiterated that his point then was that street trading was an ill wind which blows no one any good as there have been instances when people who sold across the rail or on Oshodi road, had been run over by vehicles in accidents.
He expressed happiness that his promise of providing a befitting alternative for the Oshodi displaced traders has been fulfilled, maintaining that if anyone would talk about women empowerment, the provisions of the stalls represents real empowerment as it gives the women the opportunity to work, trade and make profit.
He reiterated his appeal that those who engage in selling by the roadside should desist because they sometimes make it very difficult for would- be buyers to navigate their ways into the market to patronize the traders.
He urged all developers in the Oshodi area and other markets to emulate the building layout which ensured that the top floors are designed for residential purposes while the ground floors are solely shops, adding that anyone intent on building such in any of the commercial areas in the State should come forward for a building permit.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Obafemi Hamzat said in order to take the people away from the streets, the government has provided the market so that people can engage in buying and selling in a peaceful, nice and secure environment.
He added that the Isopakodowo Market which is made up of six blocks of shops with 22 toilets, fire fighting equipments, 64 CCTV camera is another signature of the intent of Governor Fashola to develop every sphere of the society that is called Lagos.
The impressive event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Hon (Mrs) Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire, other members of the State Executive Council including the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Ademorin Kuye, Chairman of Oshodi- Isolo Local Government, Mr Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh, the Iyaloja- General of Lagos State, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the contractor, Alhaji Abdul Sanni and market men and women and traders from various markets in the State.a
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