Traders in the Mushin area of Lagos State have decried the closure of their markets by the state government.
The traders, who have started counting losses due to a lack of access to their shops, lamented that many perishable products will become a total waste, thereby compounding their economic woes.
While disclosing this to The Naija News correspondent, a member of the All Peoples Congress (APC) and CEO of Artemis Consulting Limited, Babatunde Kolawole, condemned the action of the state government, describing it as callous and tyrannical.
He said, “The Nigerian government’s actions appear to be exceptionally stringent; the closure of the entire Mushin market, a vital source of livelihood for many, coupled with a demand for a substantial sum of 70 million, raises concerns about the state of our country.
“These challenges compound the existing difficulties in conducting business, hindering productivity and access to materials.
“The impact on work efficiency is palpable, and the inconvenience is reflected in the potential dissatisfaction of my Instagram customers.”
Also speaking, one of the affected traders, Mr Sa’id Ahmad, explained the government closed Awolowo Ultra Modern Market, Ojuwoye Market, Mushin Main Market, Daleko Market, and Odo Ashimowu Market.
According to him, the market was invaded and sealed by the officials of the Lagos State Management Authority (LAWMA) on Sunday, November 12, 2023.
“It was a midnight operation. It is bad,” he said.
He stated further, “We woke up to hear the shocking news of the closure on Sunday morning. We see no reason and justification for this action. We consider it illegal.”
The trader continued, “We had initially thought the operation was carried out by the state taskforce. But when contacted, the market leader later confirmed that LAWMA officials sealed the market.”
While decrying the closure, the trader maintained that a market can only be closed for four reasons: violations of environmental sanitation, invasion of tax, failure to pay LAWMA dues, and of course causing obstruction on the roads.
“In all honesty, there is no justification for the closure. Our Iyaloja, Alhaja Miflihatu Giwa Adebunmi, is the type that who always ensures every trader pays their dues as and when due. Besides, the market taskforce officials are always active to prevent any obstruction. Erring traders are sanctioned,” Sa’id Ahmad explained.
He added, “Unfortunately and disappointingly, it is painful that there was no prior notification before this operation was carried out.
“The government is inconsiderate at all. Shops with perishable products are locked. Owners are prevented from gaining access to their goods that may likely expire within the period of this closure.
“The closure will definitely compound our economic plights with the current inchoate economic situation in the country,” he said.
Regarding the purported environmental sanitation issue, he elaborated that the market’s untidiness stems from the failure of PSP operators to regularly remove waste bins, despite numerous complaints lodged by the Iyaloja’s office with the LAWMA agency, which regrettably remained unresponsive.
“PSP operators which was allocated to Ojuwoye Market had promised 3 time in a week but turned it to 1 time,” he said.
He, therefore, appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reopen the market for the sake of the traders and those who patronize the markets.
A trader at Ojuwoye Market who prefers anonymity said the Iyaloja was on the matter. She said the government has wrongly closed our shops, stating that “no trader can fail to pay their dues.”
According to Jubril Gawat, senior special assistant to the governor on new media, the markets were sealed for breaching the provisions of the 2017 environmental management protection law.
He said the markets were sealed by LAWMA operatives in collaboration with Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI).
Ojuwoye market is a market for all products, ranging from provisions to hair attachment. You can get anything you want in the market.”
