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Tag: Ambode

  • Our train of infrastructural development on the move, says Ambode

    Our train of infrastructural development on the move, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said yesterday that the train of infrastructure development and rehabilitation was on the move.

    He spoke at the inauguration of reconstructed 10-storey doctors’ quarters at the General Hospital, Lagos and refurbished Onikan Health Centre.

    The governor, represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr Tunji Bello, added that plans were at an advanced stage to upgrade health care facilities, including secondary health care facilities in Apapa, Epe, Ifako-Ijaye, Agbowa and Lagos Island Hospital.

    He restated his administration’s determination to reduce disabilities and maternal and child morbidity.

    “Since the inception of our administration, which will be two years in a couple of weeks, we have committed ourselves to infrastructural renewal and development that will enhance productivity and boost public servants’ morale to improve service delivery.

    ”I have confidence in the ability of our health care personnel to deliver excellent service comparable to what obtains in developed countries. As we strive to upgrade our health facilities with the provision of modern infrastructure and equipment, we shall continue to prioritise welfare and human capital development,” the governor said.

    He said the present administration would raise and sustain the confidence of the public in its health care service delivery.

    Ambode described Onikan Health Centre as a foremost medical facility established by the government, which had been overstretched by population growth.

    He said its upgrading became necessary following the standard policy of a functional secondary health care facility in each local government, as advocated by the Federal Government.

    Health Commissioner Dr. Jide Idris said the government will introduce the health insurance scheme this year so that Lagosians can access medical care.

  • Before Ambode visits

    While most government officials in Nigeria will take a day rest on May 29 to mark this year’s Democracy Day, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State will be at work. He will, among other things, commission the Ajah Bridge in Lekki Peninsula. A year and a half year ago, Governor Ambode was at Ajah Roundabout to see for himself the traffic gridlock which has defined life in the Ajah axis and promised that the roundabout would in 18 months give way to an overhead bridge to ease traffic. Exactly 18 months later, he is coming to commission the bridge. Ambode is a promise keeper. He has stepped into the shoes of his predecessors, Lateef Jakande, Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola. And Lagos is the better for it.

    The bad news is that the ease of traffic arising from the new bridge will last for just a few months. Like much of the peninsula, Ajah is a physical planning nightmare. For instance, there is only one road linking the whole of Ajah, Langbasa and Badore which have between them over 100 housing estates, with most occupied by those known as upward mobile families. People usually leave their homes well before 5am so as to get to their offices on Victoria Island before 8am. From Badore to Victoria Island used to take some 30 minutes.

    Traffic in Ajah will be enhanced tremendously in the area if the road linking Abraham Adesanya Estate with Oke Ira is constructed. The plan to build this road has been on the drawing board for several years. Governor Ambode can enhance his place in history if he gets it done immediately. He can accomplish it almost effortlessly. He is bubbling with energy and dynamism.

    The Ajah-Langbasa-Badore axis was conceived to be a model place in line with the vision of the Lekki and Ibeju areas forming what is called the New Lagos. But the place is fast turning into an environmental mess. To appreciate the gravity of the situation, the governor is called upon to pay an unscheduled visit before commissioning the Ajah Bridge.  Often when a top government official goes on a scheduled visit, officers who have been sleeping on duty put up an artificial show of beauty to deceive him or her. Ambode should not fall for this trick.

    If the governor visits the Ajah-Langbasa-Badore axis unannounced, he will most certainly be taken aback by the dereliction of duty by various ministries and agencies. The eight-kilometre Ajah-Langbasa-Badore Road which was constructed nine years ago has failed in four places. The Lagos State Public Works Agency worked on only one spot last year for just a few hours and then fled. The place is worse now. The result is endless traffic gridlock, all the more so during the rainy season. The one-kilometre road which the Tinubu administration built for fishermen in Badore, now called Catholic Mission Street, is a shambles. It does not look like a street in Ambode’s Lagos but a street somewhere in Sierra Leone after the recent primitive war by savages like Foday Sankoh and General Mosquito.

    Our governor will be shocked to learn that practices not permitted in other parts of Lagos metropolis flourish here. Heaps of garbage decorate public spaces. Shanties and shacks are ubiquitous, making a provocative mockery of the state government’s Cleaner Lagos Initiative. The drainages are filled to the brim but also blocked. They are not cleared by either the local development council or the Drainage Department of the Ministry of the Environment. The health implications are axiomatic. They breed mosquitoes on a grand scale. If care is not taken, they could soon begin to breed the kind of rats which transmit the extremely dangerous and highly infectious Lassa fever.

    The Ajah-Langbasa-Badore Road, which is the only tarred road in this part of Lagos, is practically overtaken by heaps of sand which have in some parts reduced the dual carriage way to a single lane. Over 200 tippers ply this road daily, making at least 400 trips every day. Considerable sand drops from the trucks each second on this road without being swept away. Once in a while, we find three or four sweepers on this road working leisurely for a couple of hours when over 20 dedicated sweepers are required. The pressure on this road by the big trucks which lift sand dredged at the sites in Ajah is humongous. The state government must address this activity.

    Driving from Lekki Phase 1  to Ajah at night is often a delight because of the beautiful street lights. It used to be the same experience from Ajah through Langbasa to Badore at night when Ambode introduced the radical programme of lighting Lagos. But since the bulbs in the Ajah-Langbasa-Badore axis began to die, there is no evidence of any effort to change them. This axis now looks at night like the heart of darkness.

    It seems the numerous street beggars taken away by the state government from Ebute Metta some years ago found their way to Ajah. They operate in large numbers. The sight and activity of these unfortunate Nigerians, who are mostly with all kinds of physical deformities, are not reconcilable with the Cleaner Lagos Initiative or Lagos status as a megacity. Also not compatible with modernity is the insistence of some religious organizations on turning their speakers to the highest volume during service. This is a clear violation of the law against environmental pollution. Whereas the government has closed down some organizations in the state for acting in brazen violation of the law and prosecuted the culprits, those committing the offence in the Ajah-Langbasa-Badore axis have not felt the full weight of the law.

    Acting with impunity has consequently become a way of life for religious leaders here who think God is hard of hearing and so they need to scream to the heavens for their prayers to be heard. They build churches and mosques on this major road with no provision for vehicles. Worshippers are forced to park right on public road, causing traffic congestion. The authorities must do something about this practice. Francis Fukuyama has argued eloquently in The End of History and the Last Man that some people in the third world “still live in the primitive age of mankind”.

    Finally, Gov Ambode has to ensure that traders at the Ajah Market do their business in accordance with government regulations. The market has illegally spilled into the road, causing traffic problems. In like manner, both commercial motor cyclists and tricycle operators here must be made to conduct their business in a way which does not conflict with public interest.

    Ambode has made a bold statement with the Ajah Bridge. He deserves our support and commendation.

     

    • Adinuba is head of Discovery Affairs Consulting.
  • Anglican Synod backs Ambode for new term

    Anglican Synod backs Ambode for new term

    From the pulpit has come a second term endorsement for Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritua, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo said the church was proud of the governor and his achievements.

    It was at the opening of the 33rd Synod of the Diocese of Lagos, with the theme: “Serving”.

    Rev. Ademowo said: “We have been watching and studying the progressive administration of our Governor. As a trail blazer and innovative leader, he has taken our state to a greater height. Lagos State has become a reference point for other states.

    “We are proud to be identified with your laudable achievements in making Lagos a great financial hub, and a reference point for other states in the country. Let me say equivocally that your predecessors did eight years in office, and I say without any doubt that you will also use eight years.

    “We thank you for your absolute devotion to duty and life of practical humility, doggedness and total commitment to the growth and progress of Lagos State, as well as your efforts at making Lagos second to none, and a reference point for other states.”

    Ambode emphasised the need for Nigerians to embrace selfless service to humanity, saying such remained the essence of existence to positively impact others.

    The governor urged political and religious leaders to continually tow the path of service to humanity, noting that politics in the real sense should be about selfless service to the people.

    Ambode described the Synod and the theme as apt and historic, having coincided with the celebration of 50 years of existence of the state, which, according to him, was all about celebrating those who had served and still serving the state.

    “Serving, be it in government, churches, mosques or wherever, is like a clarion call from God and for me, I believe there is no way I can give back to humanity for the greater blessings God has endowed me than serving and serving selflessly, without expecting a return.

    “For us that are government officials or politicians, what makes the difference is getting feedback from people that you have made their lives easier. People don’t want any other thing from us, but to make their lives easier; to make them move around easily; allow them send their children to school and make them comfortable.

    “Those little things are the things that really matter to our people, and that is why we are more committed to say that on a godly template, this is a calling that we need to serve, whether we are praised or not,” he said.

     

     

  • Politics should be about service, says Ambode

    Politics should be about service, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has stressed the need for Nigerians to embrace selfless service to humanity.
    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 33rd Synod of Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), with the theme: “Serving”, Ambode urged political and religious leaders to toe the path of service to humanity, saying politics in the real sense of it should only be about selfless service to the people
    The governor, in his keynote address, described the Synod and the theme as apt and historic having coincided with the celebration of 50 years of existence of the state, which according to him, was about celebrating those that have served and are still serving the state.
    He said: “Serving, be it in government, churches, mosques or wherever, is like a call from God and for me, I believe that there is no way I can just give back to humanity for the greater blessings that God has endowed me than just serving and serving selflessly without any inkling of wanting to get a return back from anybody. This is what has actually propelled us to serve the people.
    “We believe our calling on earth is to serve, which is the essence of why we have also decided to dedicate ourselves to say that the only way we can give back to God is to serve humanity. This is what we have always been doing.
    “For us that are government officials or politicians, what is it that really makes a difference? The difference is that when you are getting a feedback from people that you have made their lives easier. That is it. People don’t want any other thing from us but to make their lives easier; to make them for instance move from one point to the other easily; allow them to send their children to school and then generally make them comfortable.
    “Those little things are the things that really matter to our people, and this is why we are more committed to say that on a Godly template, this is a calling that we need to serve not necessarily whether we are praised or not.”
    Acknowledging that Christians usually like to stay away from politics, Ambode said on the contrary, politics must be viewed from the point of service to the people and service without expecting any reward from people but from God.
    “I want to encourage everybody to stand on that point of selflessness, which is the need to do something without actually asking for a reward. If reward comes, it is just part of the package but not the package. We have been blessed, we have been enriched by God and the only thing is that wherever we find ourselves to touch other people positively, we should always want to do it. It should be service before gratification because the real blessing is the blessing of God, which is beyond any other thing,” he said.
    Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo, hailed Ambode for his devotion to duty and passion for the growth of the state, which had resulted in massive developmental projects across the state.

    Ademowo, who said the church would pray and support the Governor to win election again for the second term in office, said Governor Ambode as a trail blazer and innovative leader had transformed the State and taken it to an enviable height.
    He said: “We have been watching with keen interest and studying the progressive administration of our Governor. As a trail blazer and innovative leader, he (Ambode) has taken our State to a greater height. Lagos State has become a reference point for other States.
    “We are also proud to be identified with your laudable achievements in making Lagos a great financial hub and a reference point for other states in the country. Let me say equivocally that your predecessors did eight years in office, and I say without any doubt that you will also use eight years.
    “We want to thank you for your absolute devotion to duty and life of practical humility, doggedness and total commitment to the growth and progress of Lagos State, as well as your constant efforts at making Lagos second to none and a reference point for all other States,” Ademowo said.

  • Ambode approves construction of multiple layby in Ketu

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, has given approval for the construction of three lane layby at Ketu bus stop, to address  the perennial traffic gridlock along Ikorodu road.

    The Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Anofiu Elegushi, who met with stakeholders during the flag off the project on Tuesday in Ketu, said the government also plans to construct another pedestrian bridge to reduce pressure on the old one.

    He said the layby will be constructed with modern car parks to ease traffic flow and create employment opportunities for residents in the area.

    Elegushi said apart from solving traffic gridlock, it is also the responsibilities of government to ensure that passengers move freely from one part of the state to the other.

    “Government is committed to freeing all traffic gridlock areas. We started with Oworo layby to Ogodu and last week we were at Alapere with another project that will also address the traffic situation in that axis.”

    He said the layby when constructed will be for the purpose of picking and dropping passengers, while urging leadership of the Nation Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to corporate with government and ensure that members comply with the new development.

    He expressed displeasure with the handling of the yet to be commission  layby at Berger bus stop by NURTW members, saying the layby has been converted to a car park

    “The Idea of the layby here in ketu is fantastic. What we plan in Ketu is a bigger version of what we have in Oworo.  We will continue to free traffic prone areas such that movement from Obalende to Ikorodu will take like 45minutes.”

     

  • Ambode allays fear on Alapere Agboyi-Ketu road dualisation

    Ahead of the planned Alapere Traffic Improvement and Management Phase II, Lagos State Government has pledged minimal demolition of structures on the route.

    It appealed to the public to support the Akinwunmi Ambode administration’s efforts at bringing development to the area.

    Under the project, Oluwakemi and some adjacent streets will be developed into a four-lane road from Alapere to Agboyi. It is  planned to carry traffic from Alapere through Agboyi towards Ikorodu.

    Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development TPL Wasiu Anifowoshe explained that the forum was government’s way of ensuring inclusive governance.

    Consultation, he said, had become an integral part of the administration as it attempts to bring development to communities.

    Anifowoshe noted that the initial efforts of the contractor, which was faulted, led to the new consultation.  He explained that a new Master Plan for Agboyi-Ketu will soon be unveiled along with other development plan for the area.

    According to him, the resolution of the traffic hiccups along the axis will signpost economic growth and development of the community, the Physical Planning boss, stated that the Ambode’s Administration is determined to ensure even development across the state.

    He stated that the State Government will address all the neglects of the past.

    In his comment the Commissioner for Transportation stated that finding solutions to the challenges of transportation is a core aspect of the policy commitment of the government.

    He called on the community to rededicate themselves to partnering with the government to ensure promptly completion of the project. He declared the readiness of the Ministry, through the contractor, to promptly complete the project as soon as the Right of Way is established.

    Commenting on the project a community leader, Comrade Joseph Evra urged government to put human face to the project by way of ensuring prompt compensation or replacement of parts demolished. While expressing gratitude to the Governor for his commitment to even development, the Comrade urged Administration to continue to strive for greater development of Agboyi community.

  • Ambode’s peculiar humility

    I have read some articles about the Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration since he mounted the saddle two years ago. I read about apprehension of Lagosians concerning whether he can perform like his predecessor in his early days in office when everything was going wrong.

    I read about when he started getting his bearing right in his first 100 days in office and when after one year in office, he has erased my doubts and those of other Lagosians about his ability to take Lagos to the next level. That Ambode will out-perform his predecessor, which is how it should be in any sane society, is not in doubt but that’s not the purpose of this piece.

    I rarely write about politicians but this is different. What baffles me is the rare humility of this performing governor. I live in Surulere and work on the Island, so I hardly go to satellite towns of Lagos and outskirts. I didn’t know the rate of transformation that has taken place until a friend of mine who has not visited Lagos in two years, visited via Ibadan -Lagos expressway recently entering through Berger, called me and shouted on the phone, “whaooo!! This is beautiful! Is this the same Berger”? He was talking to himself and at the same time asking me too many questions but he was very excited!

    When I finally answered him, I said I haven’t visited Berger in the last two years because I had no business to take me to that side of Lagos. He then shouted at me, “What do you mean? Please you must visit  Berger!” I then asked in exasperation because I was dozing off on the couch when his call woke me, “what’s so special about this your Berger?, He answered immediately, “so many things boy!

    I have never seen something like this in this part of the world! It is marvellous! This is how governance should be! This is a big deal! This must be the longest pedestrian bridge I have seen in Africa”! I know my friend who is a critic of every government is not frivolous, he doesn’t appreciate anything except it meets his standard which is almost utopian and I was jolted from my sleep and started wondering what could be so special about this Berger!. He visited me the following day in the evening and we both took off for Berger, my complaint about the traffic problem in that part of Lagos fell on deaf ears though I also wanted to see for myself what impressed my friend who is so fastidious!

    Lo and Behold, when we got to Berger, my mouth was agape, I was transfixed and I asked the same question, “Is this Berger”? I felt I was in Singapore! All the traffic bottlenecks caused by indiscriminate parking, activities of miscreants and touts were gone. The pedestrian bridge, which criss-crossed the Lagos Ibadan Expressway, is world class , the pedestrian bridge is very long and well lit, though I wouldn’t know if it is the longest in Africa as he claimed.

    To say I was impressed is an understatement! I was carried away and started thinking if this kind of infrastructure was possible all along. What baffles me most was that Ambode hardly speaks about these things and when I complained to my friend in the course of our discussion on why Ambode was quiet about something like this, he simply told me that, Ambode believes his work should speak for him and that he is not frivolous like some of his colleagues who will execute a project of N10 million and will spend N100 million to broadcast and advertise it!

    My friend further told me he knew Ambode’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS) who complains that the Governor usually disagrees with his proposals to broadcast his achievements. He said the governor usually tells his CPS and Information Commissioner, “let my work speak for me, we don’t need to blow our own trumpet, let the people see and form their opinion”. We left Berger and instead of my friend taking me back home as agreed, he had another surprise waiting for me! He suddenly told me, we are not going home yet!

    I asked him why and he asked? “Have you been to Aboru of recent”? I said no. He smiled and said with a tone of finality, “we are going to Aboru now”.  I was getting angry because it was getting dark! He only told me, “you will thank me for taking you to Aboru this evening, I want you to see another wonder there”! I gave up like a prisoner of war. We got to Aboru around 9pm driving through Obafemi Awolowo way, Ikeja, Agege Motor Road, Iyana – Ipaja, areas I have not visited in the last two years and I saw everywhere glowing with streetlights, roads have been rehabilitated and I saw that night life has picked up once again with security personnel at every dark spot and they were very polite.

    By the time we got to the Aboru-Abesan Link bridge, I was lost for words. The bridge is very solid and everywhere was bright because of the streetlights. People were moving freely and I could see they were happy. The history of that bridge was not palatable as it has caused many residents of the area to relocate because it was in a terrible state where miscreants robbed those who used the dilapidated bridge! All that was no more! Again, Ambode did not make any noise about this.

    My friend also told me that Ambode is building another flyover bridge at Abule-Egba which is nearing completion, he has executed projects in all 20 Local Government Areas of the State and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the State apart from other projects, especially the over 600 kilometers of road he has either rehabilitated or reconstructed while 2 new roads per each Local Council Development Area are ongoing. He has built some Mini-water works to improve water supply, built blocks of classrooms in primary and secondary schools, renovated and equipped hospitals across the state and has brought crime rate down to the barest level.

    Apart from these physical developmental strides, he has empowered so many less privileged groups and associations in Lagos state yet, kept quiet and will not let his media aides talk about these except if journalists cover the event! Ambode has assisted many individuals that we don’t get to know about!

    What the people need from their leaders is performance and not big grammar while they do nothing. The people must see a difference in their lives and where this is easily felt is when they enjoy good infrastructure like roads, and pedestrian bridges, medicare, quality but affordable education and security of lives and property.

    There is the  argument that Lagos is rich, therefore, what Ambode  is doing is no big deal! Yes, it may be so, but without sincerity of purpose and the commitment to the welfare of citizens, such wealth of the state, will either be frittered on inanity, white elephant projects or end up in private pockets. We have seen examples of other Governors having billions of state funds in their personal bank accounts in the name of security votes and other uncompleted or ‘white elephant’ projects.

    Ambode is very kind, a cheerful giver, yet, he doesn’t make noise. A man of few words but full of action. Be that as it may, Governor Ambode should be praised for what he has been able to do in just two years in the saddle! Indeed, his work is speaking for him already!

     

     

    • Bamitale, an investment banker, writes from Surulere, Lagos
  • Ambode urges public servants to be diligent

    Ambode urges public servants to be diligent

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has urged public servants to be hard working, committed and diligent, to build a service that is creative, innovative and competitive.

    The governor, who spoke in Lagos yesterday at a parade/exhibition by public servants as part of activities marking the Lagos@50 celebrations, advised them to chart a new course for a greater and more prosperous state in the next 50 years.

    Ambode, represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, said Lagos’ success story would not be complete without recognising the contributions of the public service, adding that while administrations come and go, public service remains constant, implementing government’s policies for people’s well-being.

    “It is, therefore, proper to set aside this event for the public service to be part of the golden jubilee celebration. This is being done today through this exhibition, which showcases areas where public service contributes to the growth and development of our state.

    “As we savour the joy of this occasion, we must not lose sight of the essence of this celebration, which is to acknowledge our past achievements and chart a new course for a greater and more prosperous state for the next 50 years,” the governor noted.

    He said as government’s engine room, “the public service has a role to play in achieving a future we desire”, stressing that it must demonstrate a sense of commitment by keying into the vision of his administration to create opportunities and make Lagos work.

    Ambode said: “The public service must accept the reality that the only yardstick to measure its relevance and performance is how well it satisfies the expectations of the citizenry.”

    He added that the government will provide tools and a conducive environment for effective and efficient service delivery, as well as prioritise welfare, capacity building and other matters bordering on career progression and fulfilment.

    “As we celebrate 50 years of achievements, which also coincides with our administration’s second anniversary, I thank the head of service, permanent secretaries and public servants for your dedication and support. I enjoin you to keep up the spirit of hard work, commitment and diligence, to build a public  service that is creative, innovative and globally competitive,” the governor said.

     

  • Market demolition: Association clears Ambode

    Contrary to insinuations that Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode ordered the demolition of second wing of Alade Market, Ikeja, Lagos, the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men in the market, have cleared the air on the incident last weekend.

    The Association, which spoke through its Iyaloja-General, Mrs. Adia Apena in a statement, explained that all marketers in the second wing agreed to a plan to demolish the market.

    Faulting reports making the rounds, the Iyaloja-General said the demolition of the second wing of the market, which started last Sunday, was in line with the resolution agreed to by all the traders on the final relocation of the marketers.

    She said the traders had requested the Ikeja Local Government and the concessionaire, Master Reality International Concepts Limited to provide them with an alternative space to continue trading before the demolition of the second wing of Alade Market. Consequently, she explained, the local government directed the concessionaire to cater for those whose interests might not have been accommodated in the New Alade Market. The concessionaire was then said to have constructed blocks of shops for the affected people.

    “After the concessioner completed the new blocks of shops, the Sole Administrator of Ikeja Local Government, Mr. Abiodun Taiwo, convened a stakeholders’ meeting on the relocation plan for the marketers that were yet to be provided with alternative shops. At the meetings, letters of allocation of shops were issued. And all marketers at the meeting received their letters of allocations. We made resolution that demolition would commence precisely on April 30. By April 28, traders began to move their goods from the market,” Apena said.

    On Sunday, Apena said some traders were still moving their stuff from the market, noting that she was present at the market “to witness their relocation.” This, she said, can be proved based on the ledger that all shop owners signed before they could move from their shops.

    She reiterated that the Alade market “is the first and only market that has been demolished in Lagos, if not in Nigeria, with an alternative for relocation. This arrangement has saved us from disruption of commercial activities.”

    In 2016, the traders at the main wing of Alade Market were relocated to the New Alade Market, which was developed by the Ikeja Local Government in partnership with the concessionaire of Alade Shopping Mall, Master Reality International Concepts Limited. The second wing, which specifically housed the operators of Bureau de Change among others, was not demolished to enable the local government construct an alternative market in order to avoid disrupting their commercial activities.

  • Ojodu traders appeal to Ambode over ‘demolition’

    Ojodu traders appeal to Ambode over ‘demolition’

    The leadership of Ojodu Retail Market, Ojodu-Berger in Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State has appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to assist traders, whose shops and stalls were allegedly demolished last month.
    They said the assistance would alleviate their sufferings.
    The Iyaloja General of the LCDA, Mrs. Folasade Salako, who addressed reporters in Lagos after the alleged demolition, said two of the traders died following the shock they experienced.
    She implored the government to compensate and relocate them.
    “Since the demolition of the market about three weeks ago, we have lost two of our colleagues. You may investigate this. The traders died because of shock. As I speak to you, many traders have been hospitalised. I’m also under medical supervision as a result of high blood pressure. We cannot continue like this if we do not want to record more casualties. This is certainly not a good thing.” Salako said.
    She said the first Executive Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, established the market 33 years ago, adding that demolishing it was not the best way to celebrate the legacies of the state’s founding fathers, “especially as Lagos is celebrating 50.”
    Her words: “There is need not only to compensate the traders, but also to give them another means of livelihood. We should not throw these people out of job. Most of the traders are the bread winners of their families. Some of them are repaying loans. Where will they get money to repay the loans now that the market has been demolished? This is why there is high rate of depression in the society. People are committing suicide on a daily basis because of frustration.”
    The Nation learnt the demolition occurred three weeks ago in the presence of armed policemen, “to prevent a breakdown of law and order.”
    It was gathered the traders tried to salvage goods, to no avail.
    One of them, who preferred anonymity, alleged: “We were caught unawares. The government did not notify us before the exercise.”
    The Iyaloja of Ojodu-Berger, Mrs. Abibat Adelayo Adegbola, condemned the demolition. She said she did not have inkling the government would demolish the market.
    But the government denied the allegation that it was responsible for the demolition.
    Physical Planning and Urban Development Commissioner Wasiu Anifowoshe said it was not in the character of the Ambode administration to demolish markets.