Ladipo Market: Traders Kick As Mushin LG Inaugurates 5-Man Committee To Take Over Aguiyi Ironsi Market 

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

The plans of Mushin Local Government authority to take over Aguiyi Ironsi International Market by constituting a 5-man management board may be dead on arrival following the outright rejection of the board by the entire traders in the market. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Chairman of Mushin LG, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye, inaugurated the Committee without informing the traders and board of trustees of the market association and announced the members to include:

1. Barr. Femi Martins – Chairman

2. Mr. Tope Olowoyeye – Secretary

3. Mr. Babatunde Ige

4. Mr. Ajibade Olajoku

5. Mr. Emmanuel Dike

According to the LG boss, the 5-man board is shouldered with the responsibility of harmonising and protecting the interest of the Local Government through the following terms of reference;

– To oversee the administration of the entire market

– To harmonise all tribes in the market and promote unity among traders

– To report all activities of the market to the Council Chairman

– To manage the crisis and harmonise all the activities going on in the market in the best interest of the Local Government.

– To formulate policies that will administer peace and justice among different groups and tribes in the market

– To bring all factions together and ensure that rates and dues are properly paid into the purse of the Local Government.

Members of the board will also ensure that all the parties in the Aguiyi Ironsi International Spare Parts Market (also known as Paramo market), are brought together in unity for peace to reign in the market.

However, the traders have declared that the committee is not acceptable in the market and they will use all the peaceful and legal means to resist it because what the Mushin LG is trying to do is to encroach on the fundamental right of the traders.

According to the traders, the market was built in conjunction with Paramo Ventures whereas the traders built all the blocks with their money with an agreement and part of the agreement that the traders will pay certain amount annually for the Mushin LG.

P.M.EXPRESS investigation revealed that the traders have been paying the levy to the Mushin LG over the years but because of the agreed of some Council workers, they want to come and manage the affairs of the traders at the market.

Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye claimed that the board was constituted following the signing of the Bye-Law establishing the market board for all the management of activities across all the markets in Mushin Local Government.

However, the Executive Chairman, Bamigboye did not state why he constituted the board without the input of the traders who built the market and have been paying their annual levy to the Council.

Efforts to speak with some of the market leaders, stakeholders and BOT members, including the market association led by Chief Cyril Onyemaechi proved abortive when our reporters tried to contact them through their known phone numbers.

However, sources in the market said they were studying the situation and will react over the matter because they were not aware that the Council will constitute the Committee.

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