Traders in the popular Gbagi market in Ibadan otherwise known as Bola Ige International Market have decried its deplorable condition as well as the distortion of its original master plan.
The traders under the aegis of “Concern Gbagi Traders” expressed their displeasure over the present state of the market while conducting a group of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) around the market on Saturday.
They submitted that the market has become a shadow of itself, especially with the construction of stalls on top of the Septic tank as well the conversion of the space designed for the car parks to shops.
The affected traders alleged some selfish individuals and the consultants of trading with the well-being of the traders
One of the affected traders who identifies himself as Benjamin Aderogba, said all the market leaders including the Babaloja; Iyaloja; Associations of traders of various commodities are not happy with the developments in the market.
Aderogba who spoke on behalf of the group expressed worry that a supposed international market has been turned to ‘Jankariwo market’ with illegal stalls and kiosks littering everywhere, and causing the traders and customers to experience harrowing times daily.
“The car park areas have been virtually taken over by shops being constructed or that had been constructed without recourse to the welfare and wellbeing of traders and visiting customers. Why on earth would an international market be subjected to this kind of abuse and neglect by government officials?
“The Fire Service point has been compromised with shops and the whole place is now like a rudderless environment. The State Government needs to declare a state of emergency to avert another disaster witnessed at the Bodija area of the city, recently.
“The aboriginal traders who have been here for decades are being asked to pay N4 million annually while counter owners were being told to pay N600,000 annually in this excruciating economic and financial crisis in the country.
“To make the matters worse, officials of the Oyo State Road Management Agency (OYRTMA) are fond of toeing away vehicles of customers packed beside the road, thus scaring many people away from our market with its attendant lack of sales.
“This Bola Ige International Market like other legacies of the founding fathers of the state are being trampled upon by those with little or no history of how those facilities came into being.
“The Ibadan elders, elites and the traditional institution should wade in before it is too late. The State House of Assembly should find a way around this issue by making sure that the House Committee on Trade and Investments institute a probe as part of its oversight functions into the market.”
The traders, therefore, called for the swift intervention of Governor Seyi Makinde in order to save the market from further losing its glory.
