Traders at Gbagi market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have expressed outrage over the conversion of the car park in the market to new shops, describing it as an inconsiderate step from the Seyi Makinde led administration.
Recall that OYOINSIGHT.COM had yesterday reported the construction of new shops at the market’s car park based on orders from the state government.
The construction, which started in the middle of the night to prevent the unsuspecting traders from halting it, has sparked outrage in the market.
New details gathered by OYOINSIGHT.COM indicate that the shops currently occupied by traders in the market were recently allocated by the state government, with each trader paying N5 million naira for a very small store.
“I collected loan to be able to afford this shop. I collected a loan of 5 million and I have to pay back six million,” one of the affected traders explained.
However, the construction of new shops at the market’s car park has created a gridlock, making accessibility to current shops in the market difficult for potential customers. “How do they expect us to make enough sales,” another trader in the market asked rhetorically. “My mother has stroke. If I don’t make sales, how do I take care of her,” another trader added.
Multiple sources further explained that the construction of the new shops, which the government reportedly intend to allocate at N7.5 million each, is happening in spite of various protest letters written to the State government about its potential negative impact on trading activities in the market.
Some traders further allege that the state government has resorted to ‘threats of military intervention’ to clampdown on traders speaking against the ongoing construction.
