On Monday, an official from the Lagos government announced plans to make changes to Oshodi Market. The general manager in charge of building regulations, Mr. Gbolahan Oki, said they will begin removing unauthorised structures from the market by July 30th. This means any shops or buildings that were added on illegally will be taken down.
He said,
“The Lagos State Building Control Agency, in conjunction with the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Council Authority, has embarked on the sensitization of property owners, residents, shop owners, and market women and men on the removal of illegal structures, extensions built on road setbacks, shops, buildings, and public school premises around the Oshodi-Isolo LCDA.”
Mr. Oki also mentioned that there is a deadline to receive compensation for any structures that will be removed. This deadline is set for July 30th.
He said,
“The expiration period that we are looking at is July 30, and the action we are taking is to remove all the attachments. As you can see, some buildings are right on the road, and it is because of these attachments. Some believe that the attachment is part of the building.”
He added that even though making changes might seem easy to imagine, it can actually be very hard to do in real life.
“If we want change, it is going to affect us, and we are going to have that change at all costs. All these extensions are on work, which should not be. People selling on the road is unnecessary, and that is what we are trying to put in place; it is not a tribal issue. We must all comply with the rules and regulations.”
Mr. Oki encouraged shop owners at the market to take advantage of a special 2-month period.
During this time, they can get approval for their shops from the Lagos State government. Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu set the deadline.
“The reason we are here is to enforce; the directive of the governor is very clear; there is no attachment. Nothing should disrupt the flow of movement, which is very important, and that we stand on.”
The Executive Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Kehinde Oloyede, stated that accessibility is essential in every market.
He said,
“For market women to maximise whatever they are selling, they need access to the road. The state government believes that good access to roads would better help them in the performance of their duty, particularly agencies like the fire service.”
Oloyede explained that the local government is working together with LASBCA (Lagos State Building Control Agency). They decided to show leniency to the traders by allowing them to continue their business activities. This is until the festive period is over.
He added,
“The local government is partnering with LASBCA to the end that we have been given grace that after the festive sale ends in July, the state will intervene. However, before then, the local government would see to it that most of these extensions and attachments were removed. Those that fail to comply, then the Lagos State Government will take charge and do what they deem fit.”
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