The Ladipo auto spare parts market in Mushin area of Lagos shut by the state government two weeks ago was on Monday reopened after the traders signed an agreement to abide by the state environmental laws and raise sanitary standard in the market.
The market, popular for used auto spare parts (Tokunbo) and serves Nigeria and the West African sub-region, was shut on Monday, February 25, 2013 following what government described as abuse of sanitation laws and indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels and construction
of stalls on road setbacks and drainage alignments.
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, accompanied by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, visited the market last week, where Okorocha appealed on behalf of the traders on the need to reopen the market.
Yesterday, the state government finally ordered the reopening of the market after the traders agreed to certain terms spelt out in an agreement signed by Ikechukwu Animalu, president, Ladipo Central Executive Committee (LACEC); Steve Paul, secretary of Ladipo Central Executive Auto Dealers’ Association; Babatunde Adepitan, chairman, Mushin Local Government and Tunji Bello, commissioner for
the environment- represented by Muyideen Akinsanya, permanent secretary, Office of Drainage Services in the ministry.
At a meeting of stakeholders held at the ministry yesterday, the following conditions were reeled out for the traders who expressed readiness to comply.
The non-conversion of the drainage right of way (RoW) to trading points and mechanic workshops; non-conversion of the access roads in the market to trading points, non-conversion of the shops in the market to residences, no dumping of wastes and vehicle parts into canal, maintaining the general cleanliness of the market environment at all times and that the Ladipo Central Executive Committee (LACEC) shall be
empowered to ensure same.
Also, in response to the appeal for reopening the market by concerned stakeholders, the state government, Mushin Local Government and the traders’ association agreed on the following:
*That there shall be proper security arrangement in the market which shall be acceptable to the government and which cost shall be borne by the traders.
*That there shall be non-encroachment on the drainage right of way (RoW). The canal shall be properly fenced and no dumping of refuse into the canal.
*There shall be no illegal trading activities in and around the market environment.
JOSHUA BASSEY
