Ubah Visits Ladipo Traders, As Lagos Demolishes ‘Shanties’

AFTER months of occupying media space for the wrong reasons, Chairman of Capital Oil, Ifeanyi Ubah, Saturday, had what appeared a good outing with locked-out Ladipo Market traders, as he stormed the area in a security convoy to facilitate demolition of shanties close to the canal.

The entrepreneur, who arrived the market at exactly 10.30 am, said he had, the previous day, held talks with the Lagos State Government over the closure of the market and arrived at a more realistic solution on how to relocate the affected traders in the long run.

Shortly after his arrival, a well-dressed leader of the Ladipo Central Executive Council (LACEC) was seen issuing directives to a crowd of stranded traders, a few of whom moved into the market to take away their wares and personal effects.

He warned non-stall owners not to venture into the market, as imposters would be hauled into a security vehicle as criminals.

Further investigation revealed that the State Government is actually on the verge of destroying most of the shanties and shops located close to the canals, prompting Ubah’s intervention to facilitate safe removal of important  items belonging to the affected traders. One of the traders said they had been informed of the State Government’s decision on the matter.

Amid lamentations from traders and residents, the Ladipo Market, barely one week ago, was shut down by the Lagos State Government, based on official allegation of unsavoury sanitary condition of the area. Pointers to sudden, but amicable, resolution of the crisis – based on reported intervention of Southeast political and traditional leaders – notwithstanding, Ubah’s explanation, yesterday, indicates, that the traders are yet to be out of trouble, but could have momentary respite.

In a brief chat with The Guardian, Ubah said: “There is environmental issue. So, I met the governor with some of their (the traders’) leaders, yesterday, and he has given me the approval to come and liaise with my people to evacuate some of the things in order to allow free flow because the government is expecting a heavy flow of flood this year. There is need for us to prepare against the rainy season. So, we have come to evacuate some of the people that are obstructing the right of way.”

On whether he had the support of the market leadership, the Capital Oil boss said his visit is to ensure speedy resumption of activities at the market

“Yes, I am with them, just to make sure that we move in and activate and then remove some of these shanties, so that the market could be opened.”

He said that, based on assurances from Governor Fashola, only shanties would be demolished, but stressed that his “people must have the right to take away their wares, their source of livelihood, before demolition.

“They are my people; you can see that these are young people, the future leaders of this country. We need to see how we can impact on their lives. I’m not happy seeing them this way; they are my mates. We are looking at how we are going to integrate and create an enabling   environment in partnership with the Lagos State Government; and the governor has consented to this.”