By Olusegun Aribike and Adekunle Williams
The Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, on Thursday reopened the reconstructed Alade Ultra-Modern Market in Somolu Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the market was destroyed by fire during the EndSARS protest on Oct. 21, 2020.
Another fire incident occurred at the market on Jan. 26, 2021, due to a power surge, which worsened the challenges faced by traders.
Tinubu-Ojo said the market was reconstructed to bring relief to the traders and boost commercial activities in the area.
The market leader said the reconstruction was done under a Public-Private Partnership agreement to revitalise the market and restore it to its intended purpose.
According to her, the new market comprises 204 shops, 112 kiosks, 30 toilets and 18 abattoir shops, among other facilities.
“The council has designed a seamless approach to ensure that the traders pay for the modern shops in installments.
“The traders that owned shops in the old market were considered first,” she said.
Tinubu-Ojo commended the local government for replacing the dilapidated market structure, urging traders to protect the new facility.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe safety measures to prevent another disaster.
She warned the traders against indiscriminate waste disposal on roads and in drainage channels.
“The government has done wonderfully well by helping us to rebuild our dilapidated structure.
“Now, we are given a new structure. Please, let it remain new and keep to all the environmental regulations.
“The market now has 204 shops and other facilities designed to provide traders with a safer and more conducive trading environment.” Tinubu-Ojo said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Somolu Local Government, Mr Lateef Ashimi, said the reconstruction reflects his commitment to providing infrastructure that meets the needs of residents and supports economic activities in Somolu.
He said: “Today is more than the commissioning of a market. It is a celebration of resilience, restoration, continuity and purposeful leadership. It is a day when we can proudly look back at a painful chapter in the history of Alade Market and celebrate how far we have come.
“It is worthy of recognition that the redevelopment process commenced during the tenure of the immediate past administration under Hon. Abdul Hamed Salawu. Today, however, we are gathered here to witness the completion of that journey.
“Under my leadership, the Somolu Local Government administration has taken the redevelopment to completion. Today, the ashes of yesterday have given way to the Ultra-Modern Alade Market of today.
“What we have before us is not simply a collection of shops. It is a modern commercial facility designed to provide our traders with a more organised, conducive, hygienic and secure environment to conduct their businesses.
“The Ultra-Modern Alade Market comprises: 204 shops, 112 K-Clamps, 38 toilets, two bathrooms, 11 urinals, seven wash-hand basins, two hand dryers and 18 Abattoir shops.”
Ashimi added that the project would support grassroots economic development and improve the trading environment.
The chairman said the council had a responsibility to provide and maintain markets to promote economic activities within the community.
The chairman also appealed to traders to take ownership of the facility by keeping it clean and complying with market rules and safety regulations.
He disclosed that the council would soon begin reconstruction work on another market at Akoka.
‘’The council is adopting a gradual approach to market development by completing one project before starting another, ‘’ he said.
Ashimi said the council was also constructing Anifowoshe Road to improve access to the market and reduce congestion around the area.
The chairman said that his administration had embarked on 35 road projects across the community, out of which 21 have been completed.
Ashimi also disclosed that the council had introduced a N150 million revolving intervention for traders and young entrepreneurs.
He said, “1,500 beneficiaries will receive N100,000 each to strengthen and expand their businesses.’’
The chairman said his administration would continue to invest in roads, education, healthcare, security, environmental sanitation, social intervention and economic empowerment to the people of the area.
Also, the market leader of Somolu, Mrs Modupeola Olufojude, urged traders to maintain the new facility and keep the environment clean.
Olufojude appealed to the chairman to accelerate plans for the proposed federal market in the area.
She also urged traders to cooperate with market leaders and work together to improve the market.
A trader at Alade Market, Patience Anyanwu, expressed gratitude to the council for returning traders to the reconstructed facility.
“Following the fire incident that displaced us, we have, by God’s grace, returned today as promised,” Anyanwu said.
She commended the council chairman, market leaders and other stakeholders for supporting traders during the redevelopment. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Josephine Obute/Esenvosa Izah