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MALETAN Berates LASBCA’s Demolition Exercise at Ojo Alaba International Market

…Urges Governor Sanwoolu to follow through his promise

Market Leaders and Traders’ Association of Nigeria, Lagos State, (MALETAN) has condemned in strongest term, the recent demolition exercise embarked upon by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) where some buildings housing many traders and their businesses were demolished thereby denying many legitimate traders and businessmen their source of livelihood.

Hon. Comrade Christopher Okpalla, President of MALETAN made the position of the Association known today while addressing journalists during a press conference on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 in Lagos.

Hon. Comrade Christopher Okpalla
(President, MALETAN)

Comrade Okpalla said: “LASBCA alleged that the reason for their action was distressed structure and construction along drainage channel while other sources claimed that the demolition was instigated by ethnic bias and reallocation of the portions of land to foreign developers who intend to construct a mega plaza or shopping complex on same plots of land”.

According to him, “MALETAN with over 40 affiliated market associations have been following recent developments in Lagos State in the last eight months prior to the general elections till date and after careful observations, studies and evaluations, came with the following positions, which we believe will help heal the wounds, uproot the feelings and all manners of divisive seeds of bigotry, redirect the patriotic zeal and passion of all stakeholders towards contributing to the drive of the mantra of excellence in Lagos State and development of Nigeria in general”.

While making the position of MALETAN known, Comrade Okpalla disclosed that “it is important and right to note that despite the ploy by some players in the political scene to divide Nigerians especially loving Yorubas and their Igbo friends, in-laws and business partners who have been living peacefully together over the years in Lagos State just for their selfish political pursuits, the ploy did not succeed as many of these people have continued to live peacefully after the elections without any antagonism despite the hot knife of division inserted to cut their bond. This is quite commendable and we encourage all targeted with the divisive politicking to remain united and work harder to strengthen those things that hold and bind them together”.

“We join other well meaning Nigerians and organizations to call on Lagos State Government not to allow the ugly incidents of the pre-election and election periods to be swept under the carpet but rather prosecute all that played any role in visiting mayhem on innocent residents of the state during the period under reference”.

Members MALETAN during the Press Conference in Lagos

“It is also important that the Lagos State Government should start building confidence in residents of the state whose trust in the state have been eroded due to the roles played by some politicians and their agents prior, during and after the general elections, a situation worsened by the recent comment of Hon. Mudasiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly during his inaugural speech, which suggested that there will be legislations that will be enacted for the protection of a particular set of people and against another set living in the same Lagos State. We want to believe that governance should be people oriented and not anti-people and that those entrusted with leadership should live by example of statesmanship expected of them”.

MALETAN President however commended the recent posture taken by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu for constituting a committee to look into the matter.
“Governor Babajide Sanwoolu denied knowledge of such exercise and therefore instructing a stop to further demolition on the area and constituting a committee to look into the matter, MALETAN hopes that the Governor will follow through his promise by monitoring closely on the activities of the committee and ensure that those affected by the demolition are well assuaged by ensuring their properties are reallocated to them and adequate compensation paid on the properties destroyed, so as to assure Lagosians that the government of the day is people oriented and not anti people” Comrade Okpalla stressed.
He however used the opportunity to remind all markets affiliated to MALETAN that in no distant time, the association will commence preparation for a triple programme of “handshake amongst the business community” using the avenue to build bridges of unity between all ethnic groups in the trading community in Lagos State.
“There will also be Annual Business Award during which proper recognition will be given to all deserving traders, stakeholders in the trading community will also be commended and appreciated. To cap it all, there will be International Traders Day where all traders will be celebrated. We therefore charge all affiliated markets to be part of these programmes and put all resources into motion to make them a huge success” he concluded.

By Ajibola Adedoye

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