Economic Confidential

The Oyo State Government has begun a major move at relocating traders affected by the recent demolition of illegal structures within the Ibadan metropolis.

A statement issued in Ibadan by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said that already, government officials had been dispatched to the affected traders to collate their names so that they could be taken care of in the many ultra-modern markets being embarked upon by the state government.

Adedayo said that government’s move was aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the traders and availing them the opportunity of getting back to their trade.

He added that the bid for the construction of the new markets and stalls where the displaced traders would be relocated had closed and that the contractors that would handle the projects would be picked this week from among those who had bidded for them.

The governor’s spokesman, who said that work on the new markets and stalls would commence immediately, adding that they would be completed within the next six months.

He said that the markets, which are ultra-modern, would be equipped with facilities like toilet and would make commerce an enjoyable one for the displaced marketers.

According to him, the markets being constructed by government would be located at both sides of the old toll gate at the Ibadan end of Lagos-Ibadan Express Road; Temidire Market, New Ife Road; Scout Camp, Challenge; Samonda, adjacent to Oyo State Trade Fair Complex; Oke-Bola Area; additional stalls at Ibadan South West Local Government Area as well as rehabilitation of the popular Adamasingba Shopping Complex, all within the Ibadan metropolis.

The government said that even though its urban renewal project which proposes to restore the dignity of traders who sell their wares by the roadside “at personal risks to their lives”, could be painful, the ultimate goal of government is to create a city that is the envy of all.