Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has on Wednesday commissioned 64 block stalls and eight solar street lights in Atakumosa international market at Ilesha east local government area.
Adeleke while addressing traders at the commissioning of the market urged traders in the state to be loyal and imbibe the virtues of governance and avoid exploiting their customers by altering the settings of their instruments unjustly to cheat their potential customers.
The governor who was represented by his deputy Mr Kola Adewusi charged traders to make judicious use of the stalls and also cautioned traders against any form of illegal connection or anything that can trigger off fire outbreak.
It would be recalled that Atakumosa International was razed by an overnight fire outbreak in Feb 2020 and also in 2022 where goods worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
Adeleke further warned traders to be security conscious and avoid disposal of cigarette stumps, adulterated fuel inside the stalls.
He stressed that the marker will bring back those in the street thereby serving as empowerment.
He added that the project which was facilitated by Osun Community and Social Development Agency (Osun CSDA) was part of his 100 days in office dream comes true.
In any clime, markets are an important part of the economy. They allow a space where businesses, government and individuals can buy and sells goods and services and inject much-needed liquidity into the economy. Besides these, people of diverse ethnic groups, racial backgrounds and cultural traits are linked together in marketplaces. Similarly, market provides a physical setting for interaction between urban and rural cultures.
“Let me reiterate the fact that we are here to empower our people. It is our responsibility to do so because leadership is about taking responsibility.
“We understand that sometimes, the responsibilities could be very enormous, but what is keeping us going is the readiness of God to guide us through the process, the evidence of what we see around the state, just within the spate of 100 days in office.
“In doing the business of governance and as far as our administration is concerned, loyalty and priorities are our watchwords. This market is a priority for us. That’s why we are here
“I would therefore admonish the traders in this market to imbibe these virtues. Do not adjust the standard measure ‘koblown’ to cheat potential customers. The words of God warned us against this.
“It is written in God’s words that we should do no wrong in judgement, in measures of length or weight or quantity. Whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Avoid unnecessary exploitation of people. May God continue to help us, I congratulate all the traders in this market, as I charged them to make good use of the stalls, always be security conscious and avoid anything that can trigger off fire outbreak such as careless disposal of cigarette stumps, adulterated fuel, illegal connection of electricity and the likes.
“Finally, I thank the World Bank for the enormous financial assistance to the State, the Federal Government is also appreciated it, I congratulate Osun CSDA for this great feat and laudable achievement.”
Also speaking, The Chairman of Osun State Community and Social Agency, Mrs Aderonke Funmi Abokede the market has vast potential in revitalizing the economy of the State as well as the vast opportunities it holds for individual commercial activities.
“This commissioning is only possible because of the funding provided by the Executive Governor of the state, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke. 98 micro-projects are been funded across the State out of which 64 locked shops and 8 solar lights are to be commissioned today.
“As shown today, The Executive Governor of Osun state is committed and dedicated to the improvement of the basic economic and livelihoods of the people of Osun state. Indeed, our governor is walking his talk on his 5-point development agenda as a matter of fact, this project is in line with the No. 2 Development Agenda of Mr governor ‘to boost the economy of the state.’
“This is the provision of democracy dividend to the people- electoral promises are translated into needed social amenities and development through Osun State Community and Social Development Agency (Osun CSDA). Osun CSDA is the agency that makes use of community Driven Development (CDD), a bottom-up approach and primarily finances Micro projects initiated by communities.
“Thank you, Your Excellency, Governor of Osun state, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke for making it possible for the additional 64 locked up shops, as this will enhance the prompt allocation of these shops inclusive of the World Bank assisted 158 shops completed in 2020 which by extension are being commissioned today.
She appealed to the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the shops and to take care and ensure maintenance of the market “so that these facilities can serve for years to come.”
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