Featured Metro

Ikotun market traders lament poor road Network

Market groups in Lagos have appealed to the Ikotun- Igando Local Government Council Development Area (LCDA) on Thursday, to help fix road networks in the market.

The incessant downpour has made it difficult for customers to shop at Ikotun Market.

Mrs Janet Owolabi, a trader who sells condiments, said that the roads hampers market women to carry out their trade, which has also affected sales.

“If you are not physically fit you can’t shop. The roads are so bad you have to be jumping like a frog, and we take turns on the walkway.

“It has affected sales, because on a good day some people don’t enjoy coming to the market, this has further discouraged them, they will rather go to convenient stores, leaving us in the market,’’ she said.

There are three gates that lead to the market, the first gate close to Synagogue is in a deplorable state, and the second gate close to the council was being devoured by erosion, while the third gate is the only road that is fair.

Mr Friday Njoku, who sells foodstuffs in the market, also said that the bad roads have turned everyone coming to the market into `Atilogu’ dancer.

“The way people jump in this market one will think they are upcoming Atilogu dancers. The bad condition of the roads, coupled with the rain, has worsened the state of the roads.

“They should just declare state of emergency for our roads; they have to do something urgently to fix these roads. Our customers now prefer to patronise Igando market,’’ he said.

Ibrahim Sokunmi, a meat seller said that in order to make sales, most people have to bring their goods to the road side, to attract customers that would not enter the market.

“Some customers just can’t stand dipping their legs inside mud, that’s why we need to come out to the roadside, and we also have to keep running from law enforcement officers to avoid arrest and fine.

“All these ‘white collar job’ people find it difficult to enter the market and there is no way they will enter the market without messing up their shoes,’’ he said.

Antonia Samson, who owns a provision store, urged the council to fix the roads, and make tax payers’ money count.

“We pay tax and as such it should count for something, we have to enjoy the dividend of paying tax in this market, the levies we pay is something,’’ she said.

The council’s market supervisor, Mr Lekan Komolafe, said that the council would soon commence the rehabilitation of the roads.

“It is true the roads are bad as it is now, but the council will ensure immediate rehabilitation of the roads. There are procedures to be followed. I want to appeal to our traders to please exercise a little more patience,’’ he said.

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