...give reasons for decision
The Alaba international market traders association have decided to shut down the entire market till further notice to avoid further loss of live and property
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Traders at Alaba International Market in Lagos State have ordered the indefinite closure of the market pending the arrest and prosecution of persons who attacked the place on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.
This is just as they urged the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to intervene in what they described as a “threat to security of lives and property in Alaba international market occasioned by the activities of the RTEAN or PARK ADMINISTRATION ( as they are recently called ) which have constituted pain and misery on the peaceful traders in Alaba international market.”
These demands were made at a press briefing by Alaba International Amalgamated Trafers Association Council of Sectional Heads on Thursday, October 20, 2022, in Lagos.
The traders, in addition, also requested as condition for reopening the market, the removal of all kiosks/ petty traders causing blockade along Alaba international market road.
They also asked that fees and levies collected from traders for containers, trucks and other vehicles should be reduced and all toll collection point will be at designated areas.
The statement read in part: “It is worthy of note that this market contributes a sizable amount of revenue to the federal and state coffers through their unquantifiable international and local trade. It will therefore be unwise to allow non state actors like the operators of RTEAN/ PARK ADMINISTRATION to shortchange this national and state asset which houses several thousands of big, medium and small businesses.
“Suffice it to also mention that traders are now vacating the market in droves as the complete blockage of the only Alaba road and the extreme extortion going on, especially between Volkswagen bus stop and Alaba market, is becoming so unbearable as traders are made to pay a fully cleared container or a truck a whooping sum of N70,000 to N100,000 before they can be allowed to convey their goods to the market; it is the same for those supplying goods from their warehouses. For traders who cannot afford or who hesitate to pay are either beaten up or wounded.
“Sadly enough, only yesterday, we woke up to the information that a new loading point was to be instituted on the already constricted Alaba road which has already been taken over by petty traders who were given portions to display wares to the detriment of existing shop owners, also completely defacing this market of international repute.
“To ensure this issue was handled amicably, the Alaba amalgamated leaders quickly contacted the Executive Chairman of Ojo Local Government who promised to call them to order. We also contacted the Interim Caretaker Committee Chairman who also promised to call them to order but surprisingly, on Tuesday the 19th of October, we were greeted with chaos in our market as hoodlums that we cannot quantify trooped into the market with guns, machete and other dangerous weapons; shooting and maiming both buyers and traders who were doing their legitimate business to the extent that some were killed and several other wounded.
“To this end, we want to say enough is enough! we appeal to the executive Governor of Lagos State, his excellency, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to intervene in this matter before it degenerates into a serious security issue – God forbid.
The Alaba international market traders association have decided to shut down the entire market till further notice to avoid further loss of live and property ,and will remain shut till:
1. These criminals are arrested and brought to justice.
2. The removal of all kiosks / petty traders causing blockade along Alaba international market road.
3. That all toll collection points will be at Volkswagen bus stop and chemists bus stop.
4. The reduction in outrageous fees collected from containers, trucks and other vehicles.
“Finally, we want to thank the Executive Chairman of Ojo Local Government, we want to thank the security personnel who responded swiftly to curtail this unfortunate carnage in our market.”