Realizing the strong need to move
the popular Mile 12 Market from its present location, community leaders and
traders in the area on Wednesday agreed with the plan of the State Government
to relocate the market to another suitable and more convenient location within
the state.
The leaders and traders also
consented to the ban on use of commercial motorcycle popularly called Okada as
a means of commercial transportation in the area.
The community leaders said the
decision became imperative owing to the fact that the Mile 12 Market which had
been in existence for decades has outgrown its present location and available
infrastructure, hence the need to reason with government.
While addressing a press conference
at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, the traders and community leaders
said they were in total support of the ban on Okada because of the flagrant
disobedience to traffic laws by the riders and the frequent road accidents
which had resulted in many deaths and left many hospitalized.
Financial Secretary of Mile 12
Market, Alhaji Shehu Usman, who addressed the briefing alongside other leaders
of the market, said contrary to widespread assertion that the recent civil
disturbance in the area which led to the loss of lives and property was a fight
between Yoruba and Hausa Communities, the truth was that both tribes including
Igbos and other ethnic groups have been living and doing business together in
the area in peace before the ugly incident.
He said: “This mayhem is highly
regrettable and we wish to extend our condolences to those that lost their
loved ones and properties in the fracas. We wish to reiterate here that we the
joint leaders of the affected communities and our members out-rightly condemn
this kind of barbaric acts in the strongest possible terms.
“We also wish to express our
gratitude to the State Government under the able leadership of His Excellency,
Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for his prompt response in dispatching the men of the
State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and other security agencies to quell the
mayhem and bring the situation under control,” Usman said.
He added that the joint leaders of the area specifically agreed with government on four measures to be adopted going forward which included ban on Okada operations in the area, relocation of Mile 12 Market, peaceful co-existence amongst all ethnic groups and removal of all shanties and blighted areas within the area which may be harbouring miscreants and eliminate their illegal activities.
He said: “These shanties are illegal
structures which are unsuitable for human habitation and are prone to
landslides and other environmental problems (e.g flooding). The removal of the
shanties will greatly enhance the security of lives and properties in the
neighbourhood.”
Besides, Usman said the market
executives would dialogue with the state government on the relocation programme
which would help increase the economic growth and development, provide better
infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion.
The briefing was attended by Baales
and community leaders from Agiliti and Maidan, as well as all the Mile 12
Market leaders, and government officials led by the Secretary to the State
Government, Mr. Tunji Bello.
Also speaking, Bello warned that
government would deal decisively with any group or persons bent on disturbing
public peace in the area and all parts of the state, just as he urged the
leaders to talk to their people to be law abiding and maintain peace.
On relocation of the market, Bello
said the State Government will finalise on the new location and time frame when
the traders will be relocated, saying that the public will be adequately
notified in due course.
When asked on compensation for
traders and members of the communities who lost items and properties due to the
clash and closure of the market, Bello said government will look into it and
compensate those with genuine claim.
FOR MORE STORIES VISIT CKN NEWS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:
Twitter: @CKNNigeria
Facebook: CKNNigeria
CKN NEWS Hotline: 08080054001
Whatsapp: 08099677755
BBM : 2BE329DF
Website: www.cknnigeria.com
Tags
Society