Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State
Traders at the Rauf Aregbesola Market, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, have appealed to the Lagos State Government to intervene in the impasse between them and Alimosho Local Government Council.
The local government on Friday threatened to eject the traders to pave way for the demolition of the structures to upgrade the market.
The traders told NAN in Lagos on Sunday that this was the second attempt by the local government authorities to forcefully eject them from the market.
According to the traders, in 2012 when the market was under Egbeda/Akowonjo Local Development Authority, the council asked them to submit their allocation papers for an upgrade of the market.
They said that the upgrade was suspended when their lawyer challenged the council after an advice from the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
According to them, the Ministry of Physical Planning advised that the structures in the market be maintained as any attempt to raise the shops to high rise would affect the structural integrity of the entire market.
Mr Isaac Ilesanmi, a trader in the market said: “We forwarded the Town Planning report, through our lawyer, to the Governor’s Office and copied the council and the upgrade was suspended.
“But now, they have come back after Gov. Fashola has gone to take over the shops.”
The traders queried the rationale of the local government for planning to take over the shops that were sold to them on owner-occupier terms at the first instance.
“We bought these shops in 2004 at the price range of N300,000 for those located inside and N400, 000 for those facing the road.
“We pay our yearly permit of N4, 100 as responsible citizens, abide by every rule governing the state and expect due consideration from government.
“However, it is unfortunate that a government that we chose to represent us …Read More
Source:: PM Newspaper
