Ladipo Traders Consider Abandoning Market Over Flooding

CHUKA UBAH

Traders at Ladipo Market in Mushin area of Lagos may have concluded plans to abandon the popular spare parts market over bad roads and flooding that often take over the place.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the traders have really expressed their frustration and inability to continue their businesses due to bad roads and flooding. Most of them have concluded plans to relocate to the streets or outrightly move to another area.

It was gathered that the two major roads leading to the market were in sorry states, as both their customers and importers shun the market due to bad roads.
It was learnt that the last administration attempted to reconstruct the roads, especially the major roads at Five Star and Toyota axis, but were unable to complete it before the election. Thus, it was abandoned and due to the rainy season that set in, the roads have become impassable and their customers had chosen to patronize other markets dealing on spare parts.

Some of the traders, who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS, decried the terrible situation of the roads which have seriously affected their businesses in the market.

“The importers no longer offload their containers in the market because of high cost of bringing them into the market and customers are no longer coming to the market ” one of the traders said.
When our correspondent visited the market, the major roads were actually flooded and were not motorable except for the motorcycle operators, who charged high prices, to transport both the traders and few customers who still patronised the market.

The President of the market, under the umbrella of Ladipo Traders Association, Chief Jude Nwankwo, admitted that it was not the best of times for traders at the market due to the bad roads. He said that the situation worsened during the rainy season as the roads had almost cut off and the areas are flooded. As such, businesses have suffered serious setbacks because of the bad roads.
He appealed to the Lagos State Government to come to their aid and complete the ongoing construction of the roads that appeared to have been abandoned.