The Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha on Thursday appealed to
his counterpart, Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola to
revert his action on the closure of Ladipo Market, a popular motor
spare parts market in Lagos, which is probably the largest in West
Africa with 98% population of traders as Igbos.
Governor Okorocha who made this appeal when he visited the market with
governor Fashola, Eze Imo, HRH Agunwa Ohiri, Imo state Commissioner
for Information, Chinedu Offor and the Special Assistant to the Imo
state governor on Lagos Liaison, Hon. Lisa Asugha stated that the
visit was based on the cry made by the Igbo Spare Parts Dealers in
Lagos to the liaison office.
The Imo State governor who economically reasoned the financial loss
that is befalling the traders since the market was shutdown intervened
by pleading to governor Fashola for clemency on their behalf.
Recalling, the market which is located in Mushin Local Government Area
of the State was clampdown on the traders last two weeks Monday when
they woke up seeing armed security men at control of all access routes
into the area.
However, to the understanding of governor Okorocha, it was made known
that the State government had had several meetings with them and
warned about the deteriorating state of the market and its surrounding
area, even as the traders might not have been taken by surprise after
which the government gave them two weeks ultimatum to clean the
market.
Having pleaded the Lagos State governor on action reversion, governor
Okorocha gave the leadership of the Ladipo Spare Parts Dealers in
Lagos a charge not to refrain from obeying the State government’s
environmental policy and law, adding that a cleaner environment even
attracts good customers.
Continuing, the Special Assistant to the governor on Lagos Liaison,
Hon Lisa Asugha also urged the traders to agree with the government’s
reasons for the market closure, stressing that it might be evitable to
future actions.
Meanwhile, the president of Ladipo market and over 2,500 traders where
so grateful and thankful to the Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas
Okorocha for coming to their aid and pleading on their behalf. The
highpoint of the visit was when the governor of Lagos state assured
them of opening market in few days.
