Traders at Araromi Motor Spare Parts, Agodi Gate, Ibadan have appealed to the Oyo State Government and well-meaning individuals for help.
The appeal comes on the heels of last Saturday’s fire outbreak which destroyed goods worth billions of naira.
The traders who spoke with Radio Nigeria during an assessment visit to the market explained that the inferno which started at midnight, completely razed many shops leaving tyres, and waste metals completely burnt.
Some of the traders including Mr Rafiu Akeem, who specializes in iron bending and Alhaja Toyin Ogundijo, an iron seller, lamented that their means of livelihood had been ruined by the fire.
Similarly, Alhaja Toyin Bologade and Mr Waheed Lukman who sell tyres, explained that they lost goods worth millions of naira to the inferno.
In an interview, the President, Ibadan Motor Parts Dealers Unit in the affected market, Alhaji Waheed Gbolagade, popularly known as Pele, said he could not ascertain the cause of the fire outbreak noting that many shops were burnt and properties worth billions of naira destroyed before the arrival of the Fire Service personnel.
While Sympathising with the affected traders, Alhaji Waheed Gbolagade appealed to the state government to come to their aid and provide more equipment to curtail fire disasters in future.
Reacting, Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Fire Reform and Chairman, Fire Service Agency, Dr Marof Akinwande, said men of the Oyo State Fire Service swung into action immediately they got to the scene to avert the spread of the fire to other parts of the market.
Dr Akinwande advised Nigerians to avoid unnecessary burning of items during the dry season and ensure electrical appliances are completely switched off when leaving their house to prevent fire outbreaks.
Oyo state government has called on the 700 traders allocated stalls at Agodi Gate area Ibadan to maintain the facility for an improved state development.
Governor Seyi Makinde spoke through the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Demola Ojo during the allocation of the stalls to the traders.
He said his administration would not condone street trading to reduce road accidents.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mojeed Mogbojubola stated that his ministry would continue to enforce road use, traffic and tradelaws while offenders would be dealt with
Meanwhile, the Babaloja General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekini Abass appreciated the government for the gesture, cautioning members against mismanagement of markets across the state.
In a bid to stop street trading in the state, Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has announced the decision of the state government to allocate free stalls to about 700 street traders at the Agodi-Gate junction in Ibadan.
He made the announcement during the inauguration of the Agodi-Gate , Civic Center and Idi-Ape junction improvement projects in Ibadan.
The governor, who directed that the allocation be carried out with immediate effect, said the decision would go a long way in taking traders off the streets and improve free flow of traffic.
Governor Makinde enjoined the people of the state to maintain the facilities
“We are commissioning these three junction improvement. Some people might sat this is a small project why am I commissioning it.
“These junction improvement reduce the man power spent in traffic another three is coming, U I road, Polytechnic road, and Eleyele. junction
“By completing and commissioning these junction we are making a clear statement of sanity. These project is significant in our quest in omi tuntun 2:0 which is the rule of law.
“The shops will be given free of charge to traders in gate They will allocate it 2-1 and by so doing take 700 traders out of the street into the stall.
They won’t give it to civil servants. They would be given immediately.
“Street trading and illegal dumping of refuse are two uncivil are that we must do away it as citizens of oyo state.
I have given directives that anyone caught carrying out such acts will face the brunt of the law.
“We have placed a billboard right here at gate so no one will say they are ignorant of the law.
“In the next few weeks we will be welcoming local and foreign investment to the state. We cannot decouple tourism promotion from a clean and safe environment
“As we celebrate these accomplishments and pledge to do more, it’s our believe that the good people of oyo state will use these facilities carefully and protect it from wear and tear.”he said
In a goodwill message, the Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo who described Governnor Seyi Makinde as an uncommon and visionary leader said the event is about urban regeneration to develop Ibadan City.
Earlier,the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Daud Sangodoyin said the junction improvement projects would enhance the safety of both motorists and pedestrians, reduce congestion, and improve the overall flow of traffic in the axis of Ibadan metropolis.
Governor Makinde and his Anambra state counterpart, Professor Charles Soludl later flag -off the road Infrastructure component of the 32.2km out of the 110km circular road in Badeku area, Embedded local government.
A 21-day ultimatum has been issued to illegal traders on road setback along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, especially those at Kara, Isheri Warewa area of Ogun State to vacate.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, who gave the directive in a message to a meeting with community leaders at the palace of Olofin of Isheri, Oba Sulaiman Bamgbade in Isheri, said the step was part of government’s efforts at restoring environmental sanity to the axis.
Governor Abiodun represented by the Commissioner for Environment,
Mr Ola Oresanya, explained that shanties on axis would be demolished for a proper clean-up in preparation for beautification of those setback to complement the reconstruction of the expressway by the Federal Government.
The governor noted that his government took the decision to dislodge the street traders and demolish all the shanties to restore environmental sanity after several warnings, abatement notices and other entreaties for them to move to government approved markets failed.
He pointed out that place had become criminal hideouts for street urchins and drug peddlers, who allegedly robbed innocent citizens of their valuables in broad daylight.
Responding, Olofin of Isheri, Oba Sulaiman Bamgbade pledged the commitment of the residents to government’s efforts at ridding the axis of menace of street traders.
He noted that their shanties were not only posing environmental challenges but used by criminals to attack innocent residents of the area and other unsuspecting public.
TheOgun State government has issued a three-day ultimatum to traders who contravene the state Environmental Law by occupying unauthorised spots, to vacate such places or face the consequence of being fined or having their goods confiscated.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Rasak Ojetola, said this in a statement in Abeokuta, on Saturday, adding that the move-away order became necessary due to the dangers the traders got exposed to.
Ojetola, also argued that there were enough spaces in the government-approved markets to accommodate the traders, noting that some activities by traders have led to the blockage of drainage channels.
He said, “The state government cannot fold its hands and watch this small section of traders illegally converting half of the motorable roads, walkways and laybacks in different parts of the states to markets on the excuse of quick sales.
“Aside from exposing themselves to avoidable vehicular mishaps, their activities also constitute an environmental nuisance to the aesthetic beauty of the state through the shanties they construct and place on these spaces.”
As Muslims prepare to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Fitri, prices of commodities in Akure, Ondo State have remained stable except for soup ingredients and fish which have gone higher.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent who visited Isinkan, Nepa, and Oba markets within Akure metropolis reports that traders lamented low patronage even as the Ramadan fast winds down.
A foodstuffs seller, Mrs Clara Adewuyi said both foreign and Nigerian rice has maintained their prices of between N40,000 and N33,000 while prices of Beans, Gaari, and other staple foods were stable.
A meat seller, Mr Abdullahi Aderounmu who noted that the Ramadan fast affected the supply of cows from the Northern parts of the country maintained that the price of the meat per kilo still falls between N2600 and N2700.
Another trader, Mrs Blessing Idowu explained that prices of condiments did not change as she experienced low patronage.
Prices of tomatoes, Bell pepper, and fish have however gone up as they now rove around N40,000, N8,000, and N41,000 as explained by their sellers, Mrs Nike Fagbamila and Mrs Tawa Kareem.
They attributed the increase in prices of the commodities to the Ramadan fast and the economic situation in the country.
Similarly, some traders in Ibadan, the Oyo State have expressed disappointment on low patronage of their goods and services.
Correspondingly, Olubunmi Agboola, who went around major markets in Ibadan, observed that the festival rush that characterizes the period was nonexistent.
Some traders are counting their losses as fire gutted a section of the Bodija Market in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The traders lamented that they lost goods worth millions of naira in the fire which started in the early hours of today.
The report says the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained but it was gathered that the inferno was eventually put out by firefighters, traders and security guards at the market.
The Director of Operations, Oyo State Fire Service, Mr Ismail Adeleke, who confirmed that the fire had been put out, advised residents to always put safety measures in place to prevent fire outbreaks.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has issued a seven-day ultimatum to roadside traders at Ọja Oba and other strategic places in Ado- Ekiti, the State capital, to relocate to Agric Olope and Awedele markets within the metropolis.
Dr. Fayemi, gave the order in Ado-Ekiti at a meeting with stakeholders including security agencies, market women leaders, transport union leaders, environmental sanitation officers, Representatives of government agencies, and chairmen Ado Ekiti Local Government and Local Council Development Areas, on Monday.
Apparently displeased with the congestion being experienced at Oja Oba and its environs, the Governor said defaulters of the order would be prosecuted, according to extant environmental laws of the state beginning from July 4.
The Governor also expressed displeasure at the indiscriminate disposal of refuse on the median of the dual carriage roads in the State capital, adding that enforcement agencies and mobile courts would be instituted in critical places in the state capital to arrest and immediately prosecute defaulters.
The Governor revealed that all the needed facilities to make Agric Olope and Awedele markets conducive had been provided in addition to adequate security, including Amotekun to secure the lives and properties of the people in the area.
He charged the people of the state and environmental sanitation agencies to complement government efforts at making the state clean and healthy.
The Governor also ordered that relevant agencies, committees, Local Government and other concerned groups to form a synergy and come up with a roadmap that would form the action plan for implementation within seven days.
Governor Fayemi disclosed that the ongoing bus terminal building in the State capital was part of government measures to address indiscriminate commercial car activities and make the road safe for all users in the state.
“I have just driven from Ilawe to Government House and it is the same problem. This is 11 O’clock all the rubbish dropped in the median of the dual carriage way is still seating there as I speak.
“The major reason why I called this meeting is particularly about the problem at Oja Oba. I will give one week till July 4 for every single space around Oja Oba to be cleared. Those who are supposed to go to Agric Olope which we have cleared and made available or Awedele, if they don’t leave Oja Oba and go there in the next one week, would be prosecuted.
“I want to plead with all that are concerned, the committee that Hon Commissioner for Work and Transport chaired, the one that Director General Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery, OTSD has been driving all these should come together after this meeting and develop a road map that will be the action plan for implementation within the next one week. If there are cost implementations let me have it and I will address that. Anybody who has no business in Oja Ọna should move to Agric Olope or Awedele markets.” He charged.
Earlier, the Director General OTSD, Professor Mobolaji Aluko explained that the meeting was at the instant of the Governor to address congestion at Oja Oba, sanitation of the state capital and other related matters.
Traders in Lafenwa market have called on Ogun State government to take necessary steps towards preventing perennial flooding in the market and it environs.
They made the call when the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun visited the area to inspect ongoing reconstruction of 5.3 Kilometers Lafenwa Rounda Road.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, Alhaja Rashidat Oyedele and Alhaji Akeem Alalade also urged the state government to find lasting solution to the issue of power outage in the market since 2011.
Responding, Governor Dapo Abiodun explained that issue of flooding would soon be a thing of the past after the completion of the drainage along Lanfenwa Rounda road.
The Governor also gave the assurance that within two months his administration would work towards restoring power to the popular Lafenwa market.
The Governor who also condemned disturbances in the market by miscreants, reiterated the decision of his administration to deal ruthlessly with anyone caught disturbing peace in the area.
In a few days, the world celebrates Christmas while looking forward to the New Year a week after. In this report, Funmilola Obagbayegun looks at the trend of things in some markets in Ibadan
It has been a trend for commercial activities to boom during festive periods. But reverse is the case now in some major markets in Ibadan Radio Nigeria Ibadan interacted with traders and customers at some markets in Ibadan the Oyo State capital ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities. A common cause of concern which the traders claim to be the reason for low patronage is an increase in the prices of commodities A rice seller at oritamerin and Bodija market who said sales had not been bought attributed it to price and market forces
Similar, two pepper and tomatoes traders at shasa market complained that sales had fallen below their expectations, pointing that hike in prices of ingredients had not helped matters.
The story was not different at Gbagi market where fabrics are being sold, the traders complained that expensive prices of clothes and shoes were discouraging a lot of buyers from buying.
Three customers who spoke with Radio Nigeria at Gbagi market said they had come to make a few purchases basically for their children, pointing out that the present economic situation country called for much prudence in spending
They appealed to the government to do more to address the dwindling economic fortune of Nigerians while expressing optimism that things would be better during the New Year
A mild drama set in at the popular Ilesa roundabout, on Friday as traders at the Atakumosa central market, Ilesa relocated to the heart of the town to pitch tent with their erring colleagues who display wares indiscriminately at the roundabout causing obstruction to free flow of traffic to and fro the market area.
The protesters who prevented vehicular movement in the area blamed their action on the alleged insensitivity and lack of political will on the part of the government to drive always erring traders who turned the roundabout to a mini-market instead of making use of their stalls within the market.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria correspondent, the chairman, Atakumosa market men and women association, Mr Babatunde Obembe lamented that the market executives had made frantic efforts to make the Ilesa west central-local government see the reason for the traders causing a nuisance at the centre of attraction vacate to no avail.
According to him, the effort of the Kabiyesi, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, and the Ijesa elite to restore sanity to the area was allegedly scuttled by the lack of political will on the part of the local government executives.
In a swift reaction, a stalwart of the All progressives congress in the state, Mr Akintola Akinyele described the protest as civilized and countered the claim of some of the protesters that the state government abandoned the rebuilding of the burnt stalls within the Atakumosa market.
Mr. Akinyele affirmed that the construction of new stalls in the central market by the present administration had reached 25 per cent completion, stressing that the first phase will be commissioned soon.
Traders in Ibadan have called on the federal government to set up task force on price control in the market.
They made the plea in Ibadan while speaking with Radio Nigeria correspondents.
Two of them, Mrs. Ajoke Salawudeen and Miss Bisola Oni lamented that hike in the prices of food items and other goods have had drastic impact on their sales.
They complained that rise in the foreign exchange rate which had devalued the nation’s currency needed to be addressed to regulate market prices of goods.
The traders who noted that increase of imported goods in the country was also causing major setback the economy.
They however want the federal government to take measures that would improve the standard of living of the masses.
Traders operating markets across Ogun state have been advised to make cleanliness their watchword in a bid to prevent the outbreak of communicable diseases especially Cholera.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Chief Executive Officer of Ogun State Waste Management Authority, Mr Ola Oresanya gave the advice in Abeokuta while announcing the shutting down of Iberekodo daily market.
Mr Oresanya who explained that the shutting down of the market was necessary to serve as deterrent to other markets in the state noted that the present administration would not allow trading in dirty and unkempt environment especially now that cholera and other communicable diseases were spreading across the country.
He said the market failed to comply with the earlier warnings on public hygiene protocols as it relates to market sanitations in the overriding public interest.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment pointed out the market would remain shut until the traders clean the market environment of all dirt and clear the illegal dumping site within the market.
In a reaction, the Iyaloja of Iberekodo Market, Alhaja Monsurat Oladipupo assured the state government of their readiness to clean the market to enable them to open for trading activities as soon as possible.
Affected traders of Agodi Gate fire disaster have continued to count their losses days after the heart braking disaster occurred.
Some of the traders, Mr Seun Babarinde who specializes in the sale of heavy duty vehicle tyres and Mr Rasheed Raji who sell imported vehicle engines and gears, said they lost over N100 million naira to the fire outbreak.
Speaking on the activities in the market after the incidence, the president of motor parts dealers union in the market, Alhaji Olanrewaju Moruf and the Babaloja of the market, Alhaji Raimi Adegoke said wastes from the fire disaster were being evacuated while members were planning on the way forward.
They however appealed to well meaning Nigerians and philanthropic organizations to come to their aid.
Speaking in the same vein, the Baale of Agodi Gate, Alhaji Raimi Adegoke appealed government not to renege on the promise of assisting the affected traders in the market.
Radio Nigeria observed that teenagers were scavenging for sellable metals in the market while others were erecting tents. Some were sitting mournful while others were discussing their ordeals.
Farmers and traders in Kano are lamenting as farm produce, which can’t be sent to the South due to the ongoing strike by sellers of cows and foodstuff, are now being sold at the North at ridiculously low prices.
In a video shared by Daily Trust, the farmers and marketers at the Gun-Dutse onion market, Dawakin Kudu Local government Area of Kano State, are seen lamenting the effect of the ongoing strike by the sellers of cows and foodstuff.
Since last Thursday, trucks bringing foodstuff to the Southern part of Nigeria were turned back at Kara Jebba, the last village between Niger state and Kwara state, to prevent them from bringing food to the South.
This strike is connected to an ultimatum given by the national leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to the Federal Government, which demanded compensation for the losses suffered by Northern traders in the recent mayhem at Shasha market in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The strike led to an increase in the price of food commodities in the South, but the prices are plummeting in the north.
Farmers said before the protest, they usually transport a minimum of 20 trucks to the southern part of the country daily, but the strike has affected them badly.
The largest bag of onion, sold at N35,000 few weeks ago and as high as N70,000 during the onion scarcity last year, is now being sold for N7,000.
With the strike entering its fifth day (on Tuesday), farmers and foodstuff marketers in Kano, especially those who deal with tomatoes have begun to feel the impact with prices further plummeting.
Findings revealed that many tomato farmers have abandoned their farms due to a shortage of outlets as well as their inability to continue spending their resources in harvesting the produce.
Many farmers now prefer to cut their losses and allow the tomatoes to rot on the farms rather than expend resources to package and transport it to the Southern part of the country. This is because AUFCDN officials have mounted blockades to enforce compliance at strategic places like Lokoja in Kogi State and Jebba in Kwara State.
It was also gathered that the union’s move has created a serious tomato glut as it is harvest season for the produce and instead of the farmers counting gains, they are busy counting losses.
A visit to the Kadawa irrigation site in Garun Malam Local Government of Kano State revealed several tomato farms due for harvest left unattended by the farmers.
According to the state chairman of Tomato Out Growers Association of Nigeria (TOGAN), Alhaji Sani Danladi Yadakwari, the recent move by the union has dealt them a heavy blow.
He added that already there has been a glut in tomato harvested in this year’s dry season in the state, which resulted in a drastic crash in its price in the open market.
He said already tomato farmers in the state have called on the state government to intervene and save the situation to save the farmers from incurring heavy losses that might result in the total crippling of tomato farming.
“There is a need for the government and other authorities concerned to wade into the issue and rescue these farmers from total loss,” he pleaded.
At Kwanar Gafan Tomato Market in Garun Malam Local Government Area of the state, it was gathered that the market that initially loads about 35 to 40 trucks of tomatoes to other parts of the country every day has not loaded a single truck in the last five days.
According to a tomato merchant, Malam Ibrahim Ghali Dumaji current tomato price has not been favourable and encouraging as tomatoe that could fill a big basket is sold at N850 while the basket itself is sold at N750 thereby bringing the total cost of a basket of tomato to N1600.
“The union’s recent strike and the current glut has thrown tomato farmers, marketers and other perishable farmers in Kano State into a serious crisis as many farmers abandoned their farms, awaiting a miracle. This is a serious challenge taking into consideration the cost of production and other expenses incurred during the planting and harvesting processes,” he said.
It was, however, gathered that the only solace available to tomato farmers is the Dangote Tomato Processing Company under the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) that offers far more than the farmers make in open markets.
Traders at Ogunpa Oyo and Onireke Ajumose International markets have protested to the Broadcasting House of Radio Nigeria, Dugbe Ibadan.
The traders numbering about 500 were protesting against alleged extortion and domineering attitude of a shop developer in the area who they identified as Mr. Kamilu Orotoye
They alleged that Mr. Orotoye was planning to convert the space earlier earmarked for small scale shop is being converted to parking space.
The traders who also said Mr. Orotoye was allegedly attempting to erect raw materials processing factory in the market chanted solidarity song demanding the evacuation of the shop developer
In an interview the president, Ogunpa Oyo Onireke Ajumose International Market , Mr. Isaac Folorunso said the shop developer had inflated the shop rent he built saying the high rent imposed on them had influenced others landlords in the market to inflate their rents.
Mr. Folorunso appealed to Oyo State Government to intervene by disengaging Mr. Orotoye from the market said they would not rest in their agitations until their demands were met.
Effort to get the reaction of Mr. Orotoye was unsuccessful as calls put through were not answered
Traders at Ogbeni-Ogunpa market and other adjoining markets in Ibadan, Oyo state have called for provision of a vibrant security network in the markets.
The traders made this known during a peaceful protest around some markets to express their grievances over incessant burning and looting of their shops by suspected hoodlums.
According to the Chairman, Agbeni-Ogunpa Market Youth forum, Mr. Isiak Ademola, suspected hoodlums had looted shops in the markets about ten different occasions.
Mr. Ademola described as unfortunate that shops the suspected hoodlums were unable to be loot were torched.
Vice Chairman of the forum Mr Akilapa pointed out that traders at the markets had lost millions of Naira to the looters.
Two other protesters, Mrs Rukayat Feranmi and Miss Olabisi Salaudeen who were traders at the markets have been transacting business in fear of looting by the suspected hoodlums.
Mrs Feranmi and Miss Salaudeen added that some of those affected by the looting were yet to recover from the losses.
The peaceful protest resulted into partial closure of shops at Amunigun, Agbeni, Agbaje and Iyana Idikan Markets.
