Lagos—Traders from the demolished Owonifari electronic Market, Oshodi yesterday rejected the Lagos State Government’s plans to relocate them to Oshodi Resettlement Market (former Isopakodowo market), citing structural instability and several spiritual activities associated with the structure as their reason for the rejection.
Oshodi22 Oshodi Resettlement Market
They added that the available space in the market cannot accommodate them.
Meantime, a fire outbreak occurred at the site of the demolition earlier in the day, stopping the traders from further salvaging any valuable left in the rubble. However, scavengers had a field day.
The refurbished Isopakowodowo Market, where the affected traders were asked to move to was commissioned by the former governor of the state, Babatunde Fashola, now Minister for Works, Power and Housing. It was commissioned two years ago on January 7, 2014.
When Vanguard visited the market yesterday, none of the market stalls had been opened for business since it was commissioned.
Inside the market, officials of the Lagos State Public Works Commissio, LSPWC were sighted rehabilitating the floor.
In an interview with Vanguard, a resident, Mr. Mustapha Adekunle said that the market had never been opened to commercial activities since the former governor commissioned it, saying; “You can see that the entire market is dusty. The government had abandoned the market to rodents.”
A security official, who chose to speak under condition of anonymity, in an interview, confirmed that the market had been under lock since it was commissioned.
His words “I cannot give you my name but all I can tell you is that the state government commenced the renovation works on the market on Wednesday morning after the demolition of Owonifari market. And as you can see, the officials of public works department are rehabilitating the floor.”
Meanwhile, a notice was pasted at the security post for displaced traders of Owonifari and other traders, on the procedures to apply for market stalls.
Relocation notice
The procedure reads: “This is to inform the general public/Owonifari electronic traders that all applicants of shops and Klee-Klamps at Isopakodowo electronic market (Oshodi Resettlement Market) should submit their registration forms with allocation letters, Lagos State Resident Registration Agency, LASRRA registration slip and two passport photographs.”
On the features of Isopakodowo, Vanguard gathered that there are 571 shops in the market; established by the previous administration and originally built to accommodate trader traders dislodged from the rail lines.
Sources said that the market has 64 Closed Circuit Television Camera, CCTV and 22 toilets. And it was expected to serve saw millers and electronic dealers in the state.
It was further gathered that the essence is to attract business to the area and change the face of Oshodi to the mega city standard. He emphasized that the modern market was fully funded by the state government and will be managed and maintained by a facility manager.
Why we shun relocation plans — traders
Mr. Rasaq Adeyemi, one of the affected traders, said the government did not allocate Isopakodowo market to anyone.
His words “No one is interested in the market because of the incident that happened two years ago when a part of the market sunk.
‘’Up till now, we have not heard anything from the state government. Do they want displaced traders of Owonifari to also suffer what happened two years ago. I doubt if the foundation is strong because if it is, that incident shouldn’t have occurred.”
Another trader, Mrs. Halimah Dosu, who had been trading in the demolished market for over 20 years, said she was not ready to go to the new market.
She stated that since it was commissioned, no trader had used it adding that she is scared to move there because of the incident that happened two years ago.
According to her, “People lost their lives. They had families just like we do. If such thing occurs when we move in, what will be the fate of our families? Can the place accommodate us? This week has been bad for every one of us. Most of the traders here are landlords, few are tenants. Everyone is at a loss. We want another place not that market.”
Another trader, Micheal Uzor, said “I am not going to that market. Rather, I will be going to Arena Mall. I believe it can contain all the displaced traders. Also, the it is structurally sound.”
Relocating to Arena shopping mall
A trader, Mukhtar Atoyibi, said; ‘’As at yesterday people paid N180,000 per annum for a shop but this morning, it has increased to N300,000 and light is not stable there.
‘’May be we will have to speak with authorities at the market because we don’t have that kind of money to rent a shop. Government did not think well about this before they did it.
‘’They don’t have mercy on the masses. At least if you want to displace people, you have to provide another place. Is this democracy?”
A trader, Uche Chukwuemeka, said; ‘’Desmond, my co-trader who deals in Video Games, rented a store in the Arena Mall for N1.2 million last week but last Saturday, they refused the N3 million offer.’’
We’ve not accepted govt offer—traders executive
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the market, Obinna Nwosu, said that the executives of the market were yet to meet on the State government relocation plans, saying “It is after our meeting that we can decide if we will accept it or not.”
He however lamented that there was no notice, no official letter except oral messages that they were coming.
According to him, “There is a court injunction that the government shouldn’t disturb traders in our market because since its renovation in 1999 where the market got burnt, traders voluntarily re-built the market with N750 million and every shop was decked. Does a seal order look like a quit notice. They assured us everything was going to be settled that was the reason most of us returned our goods.“
Fire engulfs demolished market
When Vanguard visited the market at about 9pm, Wednesday night, scores of scavengers were sighted carting away property of the displaced traders.
Sources said that they sold the undemolished property at give-away prices.
Few hours later, an eyewitness alleged that some policemen who arrived the scene, set fire to the property at the scene.
Another account said that the officials of the Lagos State Government set the property on fire earlier in the day.
A victim, Justus Eze, lamented “I woke with the hope of salvaging my property but when I got here, I discovered that the market was on fire. And even with the fire, I saw scavengers everywhere. I couldn’t believe I was late at 5am. I am hopeless.”
Fire official confirms inferno
An official of the Lagos State Fire Service, said that the fire was ignited by government officials at the scene to reduce the number of scavengers trooping to the scene to source for goods.
BeeBeeOoh: Please, God bless Ambode & Lagosians exceedingly..
As my papa use to say, "A Tenant Doesn't Plant A Flower In Another Man's House.. They ought to have seen the handwriting on the wall
Mind u that I'm a full blooded igbo, "Abu m ezigbo onye igbo. Ndi igbo banyi amaghi ihe chaa-chaa, kedu ka mmadu ga-esi hapu obodo ya ga obodo onye ozo na-edozi ya. O na obughi nzuzu ka obu??
ezi okwu ka ikwuru nwanne...mana were ya nwayo nwayo ka isi okwu okwu gbasara ndi b'anyi....o kwanu ego a g'eji zu umu-azi ka ha n'akpata kwanu....Biko zi....mee ha ebere
O bukwanu na anyi amaghi ihe...ndi ala ndi Yoruba ji anya ojoo ene anyi, mana anyi achoghi i pu n'obodo ha .....
Ok, ok, ok. If it will make you people let us hear word for once, Igbo traders in Lagos are richer than their Yoruba traders. Sotay dem don begin carry drugs join trading. There you have it. I hope you are happy now that I said you all are the richer traders? So when will una commence the move to Onitsha, abi na Aba? Coz this perpetual whining is getting tired.
In your widest dream..... We will continue reaping lagos until we decide to quit
ezi okwu ka ikwuru nwanne...mana were ya nwayo nwayo ka isi okwu okwu gbasara ndi b'anyi....o kwanu ego a g'eji zu umu-azi ka ha n'akpata kwanu....Biko zi....mee ha ebere O bukwanu na anyi amaghi ihe...ndi ala ndi Yoruba ji anya ojoo ene anyi, mana anyi achoghi i pu n'obodo ha .....ihe ikwuru bu eziokwu, mana oteela anyi mara okwa a mana ndi b'anyi nwere nti ike, ndi Ofe Mmanu ahughi anyi na-anya mana umunne anyi no n'ala ahu achoghi iji ire ha guo eze ha onu. CHINEKE MERE HA EBERE..
It's a lie that the government didn't give them notice. I have a friend there that sells musical instruments. He said they were told to move their goods and only those with strong head didn't move because they relied on the word of their executives that nothing will happen. if u happened to meet anyone one of them crying heaven and earth, ask them about the permanent site they've been contributing to move to since BRF administration; how many times have the contributed and the party executives embezzling the money. They are architect of their misfortune..... Simple
obailala: Hmmm... I didn't even know there were other tribes affected by this issue, so why has there been a tribal uproar making it look like the whole idea of demolishing the market was just to punish Igbos?
I wonder o...people will always come up with rubbish to make the tribal-hate worse
No, while we Igbos sympathized with every one who have lost their livelihood sources, your Yoruba brothers in NL think that Ambode is dealing with the Igbos not knowing their ppl is that worst hit, your ppl cant even afford the new market while Igbos have moved on, I said it before, you cant hold an Igbo man down from doing business he will rather do his business on the high sea and still make his money, Now Yoruba traders are crying probably because they have used most of their savings for Owambe while the Igbo traders have moved on as they have saved for the rainy day.
The Yorubas cannot afford to buy the shops PROBABLY because....! just listen to yourself,are you telling us what you know or you are assuming. Hmmm,people can`t think right again due ethnicity.
Igbos make up 70 to 80 percent of traders in dat market. Same Igbos who allegedly didnt vote for him.
- they were not given time to relocated. Some had even travelled for d hols when demolition warning came
- no suitable alternative
- those who lost items due to demolition werent compensated.
Lets say d truth for once.
What exactly is the truth?
The truth I know is that the government was callous and inconsiderate, a trait which governments are known for from east to west and from north to south. What I do not wish to agree with is that the market was demolished purely to punish Igbos as is widely alleged. We should stop using every single situation to fuel unnecessary inter-tribal fights and division.
Don't believe everything you read on paper, for the records the Desmond guy name above was my customers, I didn't even know that the market he operates from is the one demolished. Truth is that there are moving to Arena shopping complex. He said the big shops is 250k, while half is 185k. The thing here is that a human being is affected no matter his tribe. I've been doing business with the guy for more than 10 years. Did anyone choose his tribe while in his or her mother's womb. I'm pro APC and my late mum sponsor me and my siblings through University with money she made selling fresh fish under the bridge @ VI. So I'm not in support of this at all. As far as I'm concerned they were not given alternative. Telling them to fill forms after demolition is barbaric.
BeeBeeOoh: Please, God bless Ambode & Lagosians exceedingly..
As my papa use to say, "A Tenant Doesn't Plant A Flower In Another Man's House.. They ought to have seen the handwriting on the wall
Mind u that I'm a full blooded igbo, "Abu m ezigbo onye igbo. Ndi igbo banyi amaghi ihe chaa-chaa, kedu ka mmadu ga-esi hapu obodo ya ga obodo onye ozo na-edozi ya. O na obughi nzuzu ka obu??
I am so displeased at this comment of yours. It took me very great restraints to caution myself from calling you name. The victims here are Nigerians; Ibo, Yoruba or whatever.
The Lagos state government should be made to compensate this people handsomely. I wish we all can speak with one voice to demand justice for the victim of this government high handedness.
If democracy fails to protect the interest of the electorates, then of what use is such democracy. I am not saying the area should not be given the face lift as necessary but then the necessary machinery should be put in place to resettle them.
[quote author=BeeBeeOoh post=41772989]Please, God bless Ambode & Lagosians exceedingly..
As my papa use to say, "A Tenant Doesn't Plant A Flower In Another Man's House.. They ought to have seen the handwriting on the wall
Mind u that I'm a full blooded igbo, "Abu m ezigbo onye igbo. Ndi igbo banyi amaghi ihe chaa-chaa, kedu ka mmadu ga-esi hapu obodo ya ga obodo onye ozo na-edozi ya. O na obughi nzuzu ka obu??[/quote
No, while we Igbos sympathized with every one who have lost their livelihood sources, your Yoruba brothers in NL think that Ambode is dealing with the Igbos not knowing their ppl is that worst hit, your ppl cant even afford the new market while Igbos have moved on, I said it before, you cant hold an Igbo man down from doing business he will rather do his business on the high sea and still make his money, Now Yoruba traders are crying probably because they have used most of their savings for Owambe while the Igbo traders have moved on as they have saved for the rainy day.
Where did you read that Ambo is dealing with the Igbo. Cry all you want this demolition was a necessity and from what I've read and found out their chairman and reps are to blame for giving them false assurance after an eviction notice that nothing would happen.
An alternative market has been provided, therefore Gov has satisfied all requirements on it's part
BeeBeeOoh: Please, God bless Ambode & Lagosians exceedingly..
As my papa use to say, "A Tenant Doesn't Plant A Flower In Another Man's House.. They ought to have seen the handwriting on the wall
Mind u that I'm a full blooded igbo, "Abu m ezigbo onye igbo. Ndi igbo banyi amaghi ihe chaa-chaa, kedu ka mmadu ga-esi hapu obodo ya ga obodo onye ozo na-edozi ya. O na obughi nzuzu ka obu??
If as you observed Yorubas are also affected, and "Igbos are already moving to the new shops", why then are you all crying more than the bereaved? Must you whine and play the victim about everything? ?
Dont fool yourselves as if u dont know that the Target were igbos.The other tribes were Just collateral damages or victims .The fact that the igbos are already moving on shows how unstoppable n slippery they are.....u can never catch them you can only try but you will never succeed . Awolowo did more than dis but it only made the igbos stronger n greater. Dont mess with Gods own people.
No, while we Igbos sympathized with every one who have lost their livelihood sources, your Yoruba brothers in NL think that Ambode is dealing with the Igbos not knowing their ppl is that worst hit, your ppl cant even afford the new market while Igbos have moved on, I said it before, you cant hold an Igbo man down from doing business he will rather do his business on the high sea and still make his money, Now Yoruba traders are crying probably because they have used most of their savings for Owambe while the Igbo traders have moved on as they have saved for the rainy day.
But you are the first person to come out here and say the Yorubas think that something something, how do you know what the Yorubas are thinking?! You are just a foolish bigot.
michtob: It's a lie that the government didn't give them notice. I have a friend there that sells musical instruments. He said they were told to move their goods and only those with strong head didn't move because they relied on the word of their executives that nothing will happen. if u happened to meet anyone one of them crying heaven and earth, ask them about the permanent site they've been contributing to move to since BRF administration; how many times have the contributed and the party executives embezzling the money. They are architect of their misfortune..... Simple
You are right, I also have a guy there who said the case has been in court for a long time and they know it's just a matter of time before the demolition takes place. The people that stayed were just risking it.
BeeBeeOoh: Please, God bless Ambode & Lagosians exceedingly..
As my papa use to say, "A Tenant Doesn't Plant A Flower In Another Man's House.. They ought to have seen the handwriting on the wall
Mind u that I'm a full blooded igbo, "Abu m ezigbo onye igbo. Ndi igbo banyi amaghi ihe chaa-chaa, kedu ka mmadu ga-esi hapu obodo ya ga obodo onye ozo na-edozi ya. O na obughi nzuzu ka obu??
Obu charo nzuzu. Ine anya ifu na government na gba mbo ime ka be anyi yalu imepe-emepe ofuma. Nka ka ndi su oyibo na kpo "institutionalized injustice". Ya me,maka be anyi emepebe,onye obuna n'agbazi oso iga "township",ndi ahia na furo zi ndi ga-ego ihe-ahia ha,esolu "potential customers" gbagowe "township".
Shame on those respondents here, and on every thread on this site, who add tribal colouration to everything, both good and bad. Why can't you simply condemn something that is bad and commend something good for what they are rather than the tribe involved? Shame on you, tribal bigots! You're a big disgrace to this country and, perhaps, to humanity and good reasoning.
