Contrary to concerns about an imminent increase in rent of the five government-owned markets, Ogun State government has assured traders that it has no plans of effecting any increment at the Markets.

The markets are, Oba Lipede International Market, Kuto, Abeokuta; June 12 Market, Panseke, Abeokuta; Sagamu International Market, Sagamu; Olabisi Onabanjo International Market, Ita-Osu, Ijebu-Ode and the Yewa International Market, Ajilete Owode-Yewa.

Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela, gave the assurance in Abeokuta, during a meeting with executives of the Markets, pointing out that government would dialogue with them before such decisions were made.

Mr. Sofela, who was in company of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola and officials of the Ogun State Market Development Board, stated that the present administration was determined to further ease trading activities and not make life difficult for traders, appealing to them to continue to cooperate with Consultants appointed to manage the Markets, through prompt payment of rents for more improvements.

Sofela promised that the Ministry would continue to work assiduously to ensure traders adequately harness government interventions, emphasising that traders’ welfare remains a top priority.

Earlier, Iyaloja, Oba Lipede International Market, Kuto, Chief (Mrs.) Tejumade Bakre, who pledged continuous support of traders, called on Consultants to dialogue more with traders, to achieve the mandate of effective management of the markets.

Also speaking, Iyaloja, Yewa International Market, Ajilete Owode-Yewa, Chief (Mrs.) Oluwatosin Martins, lauded government for its intervention which led to the resuscitation of the Market, appealing for provision of more requisite infrastructure to aid trading activities at the facility.

It would have been insensitive for government to increase shop rent at this trying times.

It's the patrons to these markets who would have borne the brunt of the rent hike which would have been transferred to them as end users.