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Tag: Oshodi market

  • Woman charged with defrauding fellow trader

    A 45-year-old trader, Nurat Olayemi, who allegedly obtained N300,000 from another woman on the pretext of curing her ailment, on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    Olayemi, who lives in Iyana-Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos, pleaded not guilty to the charges of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing slammed on her.

    But the prosecutor, Sgt. Ishola Samuel, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Feb. 14 at Oshodi Market, Lagos.

    Samuel said the complainant, Silifa Bashiru, gave the money to the accused to “heal” her of an ailment, but she failed to do so.

    “The accused failed to perform the `miracle of healing’ as promised; the complainant reported the case to the police and she was immediately apprehended.”

    The offences contravened Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 provides a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 312 stipulates 15 years for obtaining by false pretences.

    Ruling on the bail application of the accused, Magistrate A.R. Onilogbo granted her bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    The magistrate said the sureties must be gainfully employed and also show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The court adjourned the case until May 2 for mention.

     

  • Why we demolished Oshodi market – Lagos

    Why we demolished Oshodi market – Lagos

    The Lagos State Government says the demolition of Owonifari Market in Oshodi area of the state was done to further ensure security and bring sanity to the area.

    The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, gave the explanation at a news conference on Thursday while clarifying issues involved in the demolition exercise.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Government on Tuesday shut the market and ordered relocation of affected traders and shop owners to the newly built Isopakodowo market stalls at Bolade in the area.

    The market was demolished from Tuesday night till the early hours of Wednesday.

    Ayorinde said that the traders were formally served a quit notice on Dec.21 before the demolition exercise, through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

    “It is important to be informed that the issue of that market had been on for nothing less than 10 years.
    “The state government had been engaging with the leadership of the market to say that we could no longer continue with the manner in which that area of the market was being used.

    “So, for 10 years, there has been back and forth engagement between the government and the leadership of the market,” he said.

    Ayorinde said the leadership of the market, in the last three years, had refused to move.
    “Certified that we have provided a befitting alternative, we started another round of engagement with the leadership of the market.
    “The governor appealed to them through the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs.
    “They met with members of the state executive on Dec. 16, 2015, where the governor reiterated his plans for Oshodi and the need to relocate them.

    “A few of them expressed certain misgivings, but largely, they felt that if their interests were accommodated within the Isopakodowo market that they were willing and ready to move.

    “We advised that discussions should be ongoing, particularly regarding how much they will pay for each stall within the market,” he said.
    Ayorinde said that on Dec. 21, 2015, the governor went on a tour of the market, particularly Isopakodowo Market, where he again met with the leadership of the Owonifari Market.

    According to him, it was eventually agreed that, based on the proposition from the market leaders, what they were willing to pay for each market was N5000 monthly.

    “There is really no market anywhere that you will be paying such an amount in a month for a market.
    “The governor agreed with them and we said we were ready to concede.

    “Along the line, convinced that our New Year project was to relocate them to Isopakodowo Market, we got intelligence reports that as at during the Yuletide, a number of criminal activities were going on there.

    “We also got reports that the place was harbouring criminals and a number of untoward activities.

    “This, of course, necessitated that we should move immediately to safeguard lives, property and to ensure that there was no breech of peace.

    “This was what led to the demolition exercise,” Ayorinde said.

    He said the intention of the government was certainly not to destroy any goods.

    “We believe a good number of the traders, if not all, had moved because they were aware they needed to move.

    “From reports, quite a good chunk of them acknowledged that they were properly served and that they were ready to move; many of them packed their things just before the end of the year.

    “Government, I should say, will not be blackmailed because we have done everything humanly possible.

    “We believe very strongly that Isopakodowo Market is quite ideal, a lot bigger than where they were,” he said.

    Ayorinde said the aim of the government was to ensure that the area of the market conformed with the type of image that it wanted the state to be.

    “It is to return sanity to the place, to beautify the market and construct a world class bus terminus around the place.

    “We also believe the exercise will largely reduce the gridlock that is associated with that area and the criminalities that were rampant in Oshodi.

    “What we have done is in the interest of the generality of residents,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, who was present during the demolition exercise, said the Owonifari market had become a den of notorious criminals.

    “I was present during the demolition, the traders had removed their goods; there was only one shop where we met goods and the goods are with us,” he said.

    The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Folami said a bunker was discovered in the market during the demolition.

  • Lagos demolishes ‘notorious’ Oshodi market

    Lagos demolishes ‘notorious’ Oshodi market

    BULLDOZERS yesterday roared through Owonifari market within the notorious Oshodi loop, reducing it to rubble.

    Many traders wailed as they watched the demolition ordered by the Lagos State Government in its bid to beautify the area.

    The market comprising over 500 shops, attachments and Kee Klamps, had been in existence for over 38 years.

    The traders have since been relocated to nearby Isopakodowo market in Bolade.

    But many of the traders are complaining that Isopakodowo is not ideal for business.

    A trader, Sunday Emmanuel, lamented that he returned his goods to his shop after moving them out.

    Many traders, he said, packed their goods out last week when they learnt that government officials were coming.

    “Most of us packed our goods out of the market but we were later told to return them to our shops. Two days after, law enforcement officials stormed the market. They sealed off the market and arrested our chairman. Nobody was allowed to move close to the market. They scared us with guns and tear gas.

    “A co-trader that deals in electronics also packed his things to his house and that same night, his house got burnt. What should be his fate?” he said.

    A technician, Adefemi Adelana, said he was in debt because some of his customers’ electrical appliances were destroyed.

    He said: “On Saturday as we wanted to pack our things, we were not allowed to. I left my house with the hope of making profit but my hope became dim when I got to the market. The market executives said we were going to the state secretariat tomorrow (today) to discuss the matter but everything changed. I was here on Tuesday and I didn’t see any sign of demolition or any truck or bulldozer. My two shops of 10 years just went like that.”

    Eric Uche, a rookie, said his dream of becoming a businessman has been shattered.

    He said the shop they were given was too small to accommodate all of them, adding: “They gave us two weeks ultimatum. I packed my goods but now, I don’t have a place to go. So many things are going through my mind. How do I start again?” he said.

    Omoniyi Ajide said he was part of the first set of people that started business in the market in 1978.

    Ajide, in his late 60s, said even after the demolition, he still recognised his store.

    “I sell bolts and nut. I came on Saturday to take my goods but since we were not allowed into the market, I returned home. I have been coming to the market with the hope that they will let us in but they didn’t. I brought my key this morning to see if I could get some of my things but everything is gone. I can still recognise my shop among the debris because it is painted white.”

    Ajide said he could not move to where he was given at Isopakodowo because of his age.

    He said: “It is a two-storey building; I don’t know if my legs are strong to climb staircase. We didn’t say we are not moving but the government should provide a good place for us.”

    Another trader, Cynthia Obi, whose electronic shop was demolished, said her children would be forced to stop schooling.

    She said she also packed her goods and returned them when they were assured that the matter would be resolved.

    “We don’t have a sincere government; if we really do, we won’t be giving two weeks to vacate where we have spent all our lives. Some people have not returned from where they travelled for the Yuletide. I don’t have money anywhere. I am not educated but will I watch my children stay at home?” she said amid tears.

    Nathaniel Nduka, who sells drilling and filling machines, said he just returned from Imo State to see to his children’s admission and to celebrate the Yuletide.

    He said: “I was at the market on Saturday but we were not allowed to take anything. I have eight children. I still went to see how I can settle the admission fees for three of my children but now I don’t have money to pay for their school fees. My five shops went like that. I was in my 20s when I started this business in this market. I don’t even know what to do.”

    Akin Adepoyi, who claimed to have been in the market since 1990, accused the government of tricking them.

    He said: “I couldn’t salvage anything but I accept to resume at Isopakodowo market. I got here from Ogun State around 5am, thinking I could get one or two machines but it was impossible. I have five children. They are resuming school next week and I was thinking I would pay their bills after selling some goods. This is bad luck. The shops at Isopakodowo have been allocated to some people. When we went to the said allocated market, they threatened to cut us like woods. It is a two-storey building and we were told it has been rented out. We have been tricked. They should find a better solution. The Isopakodowo market cannot work for us.”

    Former Chairman of the market, Prince Isa Ogunkayode, said most traders couldn’t salvage anything, adding that even those who took few things have nowhere to keep them.

    “I have been sleeping in the mosque for days now to protect my goods. The only thing left is to appeal to the government. We also want a better Lagos; where they said we are going to is no place because we learnt it has been allocated to some people. As I speak, we haven’t gotten a space there. We need to carry everyone along. We plead with the governor to invite us so we can say our minds. We have so many things to say. If they say they want to beautify Lagos, who are we to complain? The market is no more. We are also thinking of a way forward. How can we feed our children? They are aware of the demolition but they won’t want to listen that there is no money. Where they are taking us to cannot accommodate us. I plead with the government to assist us because this is our life.”

  • N7m properties lost in Oshodi market inferno

    N7m properties lost in Oshodi market inferno

    Afijalo market in Oshodi, Lagos went up in flames last Wednesday six months after a similar incident in which properties worth N7 million were destroyed.

      Twelve shops were razed in the fire which began around midnight after a deadly power surge.

    According to the Iyaloja of Afijalo, Mrs Bolanle Oseni, who lives close to the market, the surge also affected electrical appliances in her house.

    She said: “Recently, the light has been toyed with in our area. I went to ease myself when I saw smoke from my toilet. I told my brother to ask the viligante in our neighbourhood what the problem was. Immediately, I informed neighbours who could assist us in putting out the fire. It took us three hours to put out the fire. Even when the fire service men arrived, their engine malfunctioned. It is a painful incident. They lost properties worth N7million to the fire. It is a pathetic incident.”

     Mrs Oseni called on the local government to come to the trders’ aid.

    The market’s secretary Gabriel Okonkwo, said if not for residents, it would have been worst.

    “Knowing the same section has burnt again saddens my heart because it is their means of livelihood. They need assistance. I advise people to always put off electrical appliances after their daily activities to avoid situations like this,” he said.

    He said there was no casualty.

    Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Executive Secretary Adeola Olajobi, who visited the scene with other members of the transition committee and the Council Manager, expressed concern on the incessant fire at the market.

    Olajobi sympathised with  shop owners whose goods were burnt. He promised to assist them.

    Olajobi called for a meeting of the market executives where crucial matters  would be discussed.

  • Lagos hands over Oshodi market

    Lagos Sate government has inaugurated and handed over to traders, the popular Oshodi Market, Isopakodowo, located within the Oshodi suburb. The market was reconstructed by the government.

    The contract for the reconstruction of the market was awarded in 2009 with 571 shops, including stalls for saw millers and electronics shops rebuilt.

    Speaking during the ceremony, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said his administration will continue to make lives of the people better, adding that trading has been a foremost activity of the people and over 50 per cent of the economy of Lagos comes from it.

    While urging the people to support the government by utilising the facilities in a manner that will justify the goals of re-constructing the market, Fashola said appropriate facility managers will be appointed to ensure that the market is in top shape.

    He disclosed that traders displaced from the railway lines and road median would have a first offer, adding that 374 of them had been given shops in the new market.

    While assuring the traders of adequate security with the installation of close circuit television (CCTv) cameras in the modern market, Fashola urged them to be watchdogs over those fond of not taking appropriate trade permits.

    He urged the people to desist from erecting klee klamp inside the market. He also urged local government areas to assist the state in ensuring that people get the necessary permit before erecting structures.

    While stating the commitment of his administration to undertake reconstruction of some roads, he said the rehabilitation contract of main Oshodi Road had been awarded and the contractor would soon move to site. He said the government would consider inner roads in the local government when it plans new road contracts.

    Earlier in his address, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat said the re-construction of the market was important for the economy and the social development of the people of the state.

    He said the market is equipped with firefighting equipment, 22 toilets, CCTv cameras, two standby generators and a borehole, adding that the market is another demonstration of the government to develop every sphere of the state.