Lafenwa market traders situated in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun on Wednesday protested against planned demolition of sections of the market by the local government to pave way for a remodeled shops and stalls.
The traders mostly women of different ages stormed the Council Secretariat at Akomoje area of the city, carrying placards with inscriptions in protest against possible displacement from their respective shops and stalls to pave way for the developmental project being executed by the Executive Chairman Adebayo Ayorinde for the few remaining months of his tenure in office .
The traders arrived the council’s secretariat at around 9:00 am with various save our souls placards like “Gov. Abiodun Please Come To Our Side”, Please Don’t Destroy Our Shops, This is Where We Feed Our Families “, This Is Not What You Promised Us” , Don’t Let Them Destroy Our Stalls among others inscriptions.
The affected traders later had stakeholders meeting with top officials of Abeokuta North Local Government presided over by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Ayoola Oluajo which lasted for few hours.
Top leaders at the market were apprehensive of likely displacement of many traders without alternative arrangements made by the council for them to stay temporarily for their daily trading activities till completion of the project which is expected to commence soonest and completed within the next three months.
Both Babaloja Alhaji Musa Adeyinka and Iyaloja , Sidikat Owe and others like Alhaja Silifat Lawal and Risikat Oyebode had all during the meeting, insisted that the council must provide alternative place within the Lafenwa Market for them to continue with their respective commercial activities, pending the completion of the remodeling project.
They also pleaded with management of the local council not to allow developer to handle the execution of such developmental project.
They expressed fear of likely high cost of securing the shops and stalls at a very high rates that would be very difficult for most of the traders who are still struggling with harsh economic situation in the country, to afford .
The traders are worried of their rejection by the council from their shops and stalls without giving them grace period to relocate or find temporary place for them to continue with their trading activities
Addressing the traders, the Council Vice Chairman, however clarified that the affected traders would be given priority during the re-allocation of the shops and stalls on completion of the remodeling project.
He also revealed that the council in partnership with developers and Gateway Mortgage Bank had worked out arrangements to make it convenient for the affected traders whose shops and stalls pave way for the developmental project.
Oluajo , who pleaded with the market women to see reasons with the council, noted that the council was committed to the development of the local government without putting hardships on the people
The first phase of the project according to him, including 90 open stalls and 20 lock up shops.