Lagos state government denies demolition of Ladipo market

The Lagos State Government denied a false reports that some parts of the Ladipo Market in Mushin Local Government Area of the state have been demolished while others have been shut.

The Executive Secretary of the local government, Mr. Jide Bello, in a statement, said business activities went on at the Ladipo market unhindered, where the traders carried out their business transactions.

Bello added that the council decided to redevelop the market, which has become an eyesore due to the unwholesome activities of some of the traders and the degradation of the surrounding, a development that would not fit into the mega city plans of the state.

He said the Mushin Local Government Area intended to undertake the development of the market in phases and because of that, had not collected any form of rent from the traders in the market since the beginning of 2015.

Jide Bello, said what was going on was a move by the council to upgrade the market, adding, “Demolishing the Ladipo Market was not part of the plan.”

Bello said the council’s plan, as contained in an agreement earlier reached with the traders, was to develop the market in phases, lasting three to five months of construction work.

He said, “Though the bulldozer of the council’s developers moved in on Tuesday, business activities have continued in the market unhindered. The traders are presently at their shops, carrying out their transactions.

“You will agree with me that the market has become an eyesore due to the unwholesome activities of some of the traders and the degradation of the surroundings. This did not fit into the mega city plans of the state.

Bello said, “There is no going back on the decision to redevelop the Ladipo Market to meet the mega city status of Lagos State. We assure traders in the market that Mushin remains a home for all of them. Current owners will be given attention to as long as they can provide valid ownership papers once the construction is completed. Due process was followed in the decision of the council to develop the market.