The Lagos State government is set to relocate traders in the Computer Village market numbering between 3,000 and 3,500 to a new location in Katangowa, a suburb of Lagos.
The plan to relocate the market was finally reached during a meeting at the weekend between the Lagos State government; Bridgeways, the company contracted by Lagos State to handle the new market building project , and members of Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN), the umbrella body of the Computer Village traders.
Addressing the parties, the Lagos State Commissioner, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, said Lagos government was ready to coordinate the process that would lead to the relocation of the market, which he said, was long overdue for relocation.
He expressed happiness that the three parties have agreed to work together to build standardised shops that would be befitting to the traders and buyers, that have long overgrown the market space in Otigba Computer Village market in Ikeja.
The state Commissioner of Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, who was also present at the meeting, revealed that Bridgeways was selected as the contractor that would handle the project, following its submission of bid of interest to the state government. He assured the traders of the state government's commitment to relocate the market from its present location in Ikeja to a suburb of Lagos called Katangowa, which is easily assessable. Mabadeje called for full corporation of the traders to enable the state government conclude the project in record time.
CAPDAN President, Mr, Tunji Balogun, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Brian Integrated Systems, makers of Brian brand of computers, expressed happiness over the state government's readiness to assist the traders in relocating the market, but expressed fears that the government may end up creating division among the traders, if the state government does not involve the traders in the relocation plan.
Other members of CAPDAN present at the meeting also raised fears concerning the recent move of the state government, and called for sincerity of purpose in other to achieve a smooth relocation.
The plan to relocate the market started years back among the traders, who felt they needed a bigger space to do good business, having overgrown the market space, which used to be a residential area before the market began in the area.
Although the efforts to relocate the market have been shouldered by CAPDAN, its leadership was however faced with challenges emanating from the traders that later formed different factions of market associations, a situation that affected the early plan to relocate the market.
In March this year, the traders reunited and approached the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology to come to their aid, which attracted the minister, Dr. Omobola Johnson to invite the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) into the scene. Through the intervention of the minister and NITDA, the traders were able to secure loan from the African Development Bank and they were in the process of developing a new site for the market, before the state government stepped in with a new contractor.
The traders who expressed their dissatisfaction over the delay of the state government to relocate the market long ago, however pleaded with the state to ensure that the planned new shops would be affordable to traders who are happy with the fresh relocation plan.
Computer Village market is the largest concentration of traders across West Africa, trading in computers mobile phones and their accessories.
Addressing the parties, the Lagos State Commissioner, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, said Lagos government was ready to coordinate the process that would lead to the relocation of the market, which he said, was long overdue for relocation.
He expressed happiness that the three parties have agreed to work together to build standardised shops that would be befitting to the traders and buyers, that have long overgrown the market space in Otigba Computer Village market in Ikeja.
The state Commissioner of Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, who was also present at the meeting, revealed that Bridgeways was selected as the contractor that would handle the project, following its submission of bid of interest to the state government. He assured the traders of the state government's commitment to relocate the market from its present location in Ikeja to a suburb of Lagos called Katangowa, which is easily assessable. Mabadeje called for full corporation of the traders to enable the state government conclude the project in record time.
CAPDAN President, Mr, Tunji Balogun, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Brian Integrated Systems, makers of Brian brand of computers, expressed happiness over the state government's readiness to assist the traders in relocating the market, but expressed fears that the government may end up creating division among the traders, if the state government does not involve the traders in the relocation plan.
Other members of CAPDAN present at the meeting also raised fears concerning the recent move of the state government, and called for sincerity of purpose in other to achieve a smooth relocation.
The plan to relocate the market started years back among the traders, who felt they needed a bigger space to do good business, having overgrown the market space, which used to be a residential area before the market began in the area.
Although the efforts to relocate the market have been shouldered by CAPDAN, its leadership was however faced with challenges emanating from the traders that later formed different factions of market associations, a situation that affected the early plan to relocate the market.
In March this year, the traders reunited and approached the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology to come to their aid, which attracted the minister, Dr. Omobola Johnson to invite the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) into the scene. Through the intervention of the minister and NITDA, the traders were able to secure loan from the African Development Bank and they were in the process of developing a new site for the market, before the state government stepped in with a new contractor.
The traders who expressed their dissatisfaction over the delay of the state government to relocate the market long ago, however pleaded with the state to ensure that the planned new shops would be affordable to traders who are happy with the fresh relocation plan.
Computer Village market is the largest concentration of traders across West Africa, trading in computers mobile phones and their accessories.
Culled from www.thisdaylive.com
No comments :
Post a Comment
we will love to share your experience: