By Ajibola Adedoye
Traders, Market Men and Women of Owode Motor Spare-Part Market popularly called “Owode Onirin” along Ikorodu Road have condemned the continued exclusion of all concerned marketmen and women from the Lagos State Government’s intervention process, saying Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu ‘cannot scrape their heads behind them’.
Comrade Alex Omotehinse, President, Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) in his address during a world press conference at the market (now demolition site) noted that “This deliberate marginalization demonstrates a blatant disregard for due process and the right of these individuals to participates in decisions that directly that directly impact their lives”.
Omotehise recalled, “Following the invasion of the market on Thursday, 6th of March, 2025 at about 4:30am and illegal demolition orchestrated by officers and men of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA), nothing less than 500 shops were affected in this process.
Also Read
“As a human rights organization, CHSR on behalf of the traders petitioned the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu on the 10th of March, 2025, the letter was titled: “AQAUTANCE OF COMPLAINT OF UNLAWFUL INVASION AND WRONGFUL DEMOLITION OF OVER 500 SHOPS AT OWODE MOTOR SPARE PART MARKET, OWODE ONIRIN AGAINST THE LAGOS STATE BUILDING CONTROL AGENCY (LABSCA) AND OUR SUBSEQUENT DEMAND FOR YOUR URGENT INTERVENTION”.
“Similarly on Thursday, 27th of March 2025, CHSR and other civil society organizations led thousands of the Owode Motor Spare Part Market traders in a protest to the Lagos State House of Assembly to submit an official complaint to the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA), Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, the letter was received by Hon. Rasheed Adebola Shabi representing Lagos Mainland II. He however promised that as soon as the House resumed from recess, the petition will be given accelerated hearing on the floor of the House and all concerned parties be invited for peaceful resolution.
“After several weeks of waiting and a reminder sent to the House by CHSR, no response whatsoever from either Office of the Governor or from LSHA.
“To our dismay, we were reliably informed that, Mr. Dele Osinowo, the Executive Chairman, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA recently visited the market and informed the traders that the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Justice has intervened and resolved the dispute over the ownership and demolition of the market between Agboyi-Ketu LCDA and the developer. So, we will like to know, why will the Lagos State Ministry of Justice intervene in a mater that directly affects the livelihood of several traders of the market without inviting the leadership of the Owode Motor Spare Part Market Association to such a meeting before such a sensitive decision was made? Omotehise queried.
For a lasting solution and peaceful resolution of the matter at hand, “CHSR is demanding an immediate and unconditional inclusion of the leadership of Owode Motor Spare Part Market Association and duly elected representatives of the affected traders in all discussions, negotiations and decision-making processes concerning the future of the market and the provision of comprehensive redress.
“Apart from that, we demand a concrete transparency plan for fair and adequate compensation for all shop owners and traders who have suffered irreparable losses due to the illegal demolition and the compensation must accurately reflect the true value of their lost property, stock and potential income.
“Lastly, there must be a firm commitment by the Lagos State Government in preventing such illegal and unlawful acts from recurring and upholding the rights and interests of market associations and traders across Lagos State” he posited.
For your Press Conferences/ Adverts/Media Consultancy/Support
Contact the Editor via WhatsApp +2349097600508/+2348032339384 or Email: news@dailyinsight.com.ng & shinaayo110@gmail.com