Traders in Oshodi Market in Oshodi Isolo Local Government area of Lagos State have joined the CLEAN OUR MARKETS crusade of the Sanwoolu government to structure their market and put decency and decorum into the way buying and selling are conducted in the market.
Under the leadership of the Iyaloja-General, Alhaja Sikirat Ejide and Babaloja-General,Alhaji Rasak Sannni, the traders have joined hands with the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and Lagos State Task Force to instill sanity and discipline in the manner of operation of the traders and transporters in the market.
Covering the entire stretch of Agege Motor Road, Brown Street, Macarthy Street, Banjoko Street, Araromi Street, Kairo Market, Oshodi Road, Ogunlana Street, Boladale Street and Suwebatu Street, the traders engaged in a three-week intensive clean-up exercise with which they declared ZERO TOLERANCE for trading on the road, display of goods and wares on drainage paths and walk ways as well as selling without proper shops.
They also frowned at those who cook and fry akara, moinmoin, popcorn, etc on the road, those who display and sell cooked foods (rice, fish, ojojo, boli etc) within the affected area, those who trade with wheelbarrows, “Area Boys” who use the frontage of traders’ shops for fee-paying parking of vehicles as well as transporters who use the frontage of their shops for picking passengers.
The market is now looking better, more organized and provides both buyers and sellers a conducive environment to transact business without the risk of contracting diseases. Now, buyers don’t have to fear the operation of hoodlums and pickpockets who use the opportunity of the confusion in the market to cheat people.
The traders said they decided to take the bull by the horn and solve the confusion in their market now so as to avoid the incidence of mass fire as recently experienced in Dosunmu/Balogun markets in Lagos Island which claimed many valuables.
Speaking on the bold move, the Iyaloja-General, Alhaja Ejide, praised the traders for the success of the operation and prayed that God will replenish their purses many folds on what they spent on the exercise.
Babaloja-General, Alhaji Sanni Rasaq admonished the traders not to rest on their oars but to keep working together to keep the momentum. He said the market would continue to cooperate with the government to achieve a safe and prosperous Lagos of our dream.
Also speaking is Iya Loja of Brown street market, Mrs. Basirat Adeyemo “We were initially hesitant, but the benefits are clear. Our sales have increased, and we’ve built trust with our customers. We’re proud to be part of this new era in the Oshodi market.”
The Lagos State government’s directive of CLEAN OUR MARKETS is not limited to Oshodi market but to all markets across the state.
