Posted by By Paul Dada & Tunde Lemuel on
Traders at Oshodi, whose illegal stalls were demolished by state government officials, have been relocated to Ilasa, along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway.
Traders at Oshodi, whose illegal stalls were demolished by state government officials, have been relocated to Ilasa, along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Segun Ogundeji, confirmed to P.M.News this morning, that a large parcel of land has been provided at Ilasamaja for the traders.
'For those who prefer open trading, a large parcel of land has been provided at Ilasa. Others who prefer to have stalls have been asked to contact the chairman of the Ojuwoye Local Government Development Area, for spaces in Awolowo Market,' said Ogundeji.
Ogundeji insisted that no street trader would be allowed to return to Oshodi. He said the chairman of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) had resolved to keep some of his men at Oshodi permanently, to ensure that no trader flouted government's directive.
Meanwhile, some of the traders have reacted to the development. One of them, Sunkanmi, said the action of government was in order, but wants the hoodlums in Oshodi to be dislodged.
'It's okay. But even if government decides to plant flowers here, the questions is, how will they sustain the beautification effort? You can't beautify a place where you have hoodlums. If they want Oshodi to be a better place, they should deal with the area boys first.'
Another trader, Alhaja Ribiyu Adenuga, said the alternative shops provided by the state government are too expensive. 'Shops that we poor traders can afford should be provided. We cannot afford shops that are being given for high fees,' she said.
A charcoal dealer, Ganiat Yusuf, who claimed that she lost over N300,000 worth of goods to the demolition exercise, said the traders were not notified before their stalls were demolished.
'We were not aware. We only began to hear the rumours this week, that there would be government exercise. Some of us even thought that the rumours were unfounded,' she stated.