Gov. Ambode leads demolishing of popular Owonifari market in Oshodi

A VIEW OF OWO NI FAARI MARKET, OSHODI BEING DEMOLISHED
A VIEW OF OWO NI FAARI MARKET, OSHODI BEING DEMOLISHED

The Lagos State government on Wednesday morning demolished the popular Owonifari market in Oshodi.

The demolition, which was supervised by the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, kicked off at about 7.45 am.

The governor was accompanied by the Commissioner for Environment, Babatunde Adejare, officials of Kick Against Indiscipline, the police and some other top government officials.

The Owonifari Market has been in the area for about 40 years.

The state commissioner of information, Steve Ayorinde, in a statement on Tuesday said the market would be shut due to security challenges in the area.

Mr. Ayorinde also said shutting the market would enable the state commence the transformation of the Oshodi bus stop to an ultra-modern bus terminal.

The commissioner also said traders in the market had been relocated to the newly built Isopakodowo market stalls at Bolade area in Oshodi.

He said the government had already commenced the fencing of the area from Agege Motor Road to PWD/Ikeja GRA end of the area.

He said the Oshodi bus stop would be transformed into an ultra-modern bus terminus with new bus shelters that are befitting of a structured park in a mega city.

He said the exercise would assist the federal government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation as the railway corridor will be beautified and safeguarded as street trading would be discouraged.

This is the second time in six years that the state government will be carrying out major redevelopment work at the Oshodi bus stop.

In 2009, Mr. Ambode’s predecessor, Babatunde Fashola, received praise for clearing the popular bus stop of street traders and miscreants, easing the traffic gridlock in the area.

However, the area soon degenerated into what it used to be as street traders and urchins returned, posing serious threat to lives and property in the area.

The bus stop is a hotbed of clashes between rival gangs and cult groups.

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  • aisha ani

    This is a good development.

  • Proud Yoruba

    The quickest and most effective way to decongest Lagos and be rid of miscreants is to enforce the maximum occupancy law to restrict the number of adults and children living in houses and apartments in Lagos. If wole wole are going to be inspecting homes for code compliance ensuring that they have toilets and kitchen, then let other inspectors tag along to enforce maximum occupancy laws.

    It is a public safety hazard to over occupy houses, and also a fire hazard. Ambode must decongest Lagos and give up this pipe dream of mega city with no financial benefits. Improve life for Lagosians, decongest Lagos please. It is becoming a gateway for other Yoruba States too, now we hear of people moving into Ogun stare as well, we can accommodate all of Nigeria in one region!

  • Proud Yoruba

    The quickest and most effective way to decongest Lagos is to enforce the maximum occupancy law to restrict the number of adults and children in houses and apartments in Lagos. If “wole wole” are going to be inspecting for compliance for at least one toilet and kitchen per home, then let inspectors tag along to enforce occupancy rates too.

  • Proud Yoruba

    BTW, keep up the good work Ambode, we see your sensible and people-oriented policies at work in Lagos already. With 8 years, you will surely transform Lagos to be twenty first century state.