Computer Village
By Bose
Kindly share:
Traders at the Computer Village were on Monday given 18 months to relocate to the new site at Katangowa, Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway within 18 months by the Lagos State Government.
Arch. Gbolahan Oki, the Permanent Secretary, state’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, disclosed this during a stakeholders meeting held at the market with the executives of the market and all the traders.
According to him, the state government has provided necessary facilities at the new site to make the place conducive for the traders.
Oki explained that the current location in the heart of the state capital Ikeja was formerly a residential area but was over the years converted to a trading hub without government approval.
Furthermore, the Perm Sec said the plan to relocate the traders to Katangowa dates back to 2006 but delayed because of the slow pace of development work going on at the new location, the relocation has suffered setbacks.
However, he insisted that ‘now is the time ‘ for the traders to move as the government has concluded major works at the new place.
“The governor is passionate about development of infrastructure of Lagos State and he wants all of you to be aware of the relocation. Katangowa is a place chosen for everything relating to this market. It’s 15 hectares of land. It is near to all the materials you need for your businesses,” he told the traders, adding that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu believes in inclusiveness and the welfare of the people, hence the stakeholders’ meeting, which was intended to carry them along on the government’s plan adding that
He added: “The present location used to be a residential area and so many things are attached to this place. Where the government is taking you to is well laid out and we want all of you to know what the relocation is all about. We want to work with you and plan the relocation together. Everyone wants change but there are things that will affect us if we are going to experience that change.
“The government wants your cooperation to ensure the relocation comes to pass. The time is now. We have to make the project a reality. The relocation period is 18 months.”
Oki also warned the traders to stop displaying their wares on the walkways and roadside at the present location, saying those who flout the rule.
Olayinka Bello, the Project Coordinator, assured the traders that the new location was deliberately designed to accommodate some infrastructures, such as a police post, hotels, accessibility to BRT terminal to aid easy movement.
Chief Abisola Azeez, confirmed that said the executive of the market reached an agreement with President Bola Tinubu, who was then the governor of Lagos State, to relocate the marker to Katangowa.
He urged the traders to cooperate with the government and relocate within the said period.
