DEMOLITION OF ILE-EPO MARKET BY LAGOS STATE GOVT WITHOUT ALTERNATIVE MARKET IS MINDLESS

SPN DEMANDS COMPENSATION TO BE PAID AND PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVE AND DECENT MARKETS FOR THE AFFECTED TRADERS

Press Statement

The Lagos State Chapter of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) condemns the demolition of Ile-Epo market in Oke-Odo Alimosho local government and demands an end to all elitist and anti-people policies being carried out by the Akinwumi Ambode led Lagos State government. 

Characteristically, the Ambode-led Lagos State Government demolished the popular Ile-Epo Market in the early morning of Friday April 27, 2018 in a brutal commando manner. Ile-Epo Market is a major depot for different food items, and many people patronize it daily to buy foodstuff and fruits. Just like all previous demolitions, the poor traders were not provided with alternative markets and compensations thereby eliminating the livelihood of hundreds of traders and thousands of their dependents.

The market was invaded by officials of Lagos State Government as well as armed security operatives who coldheartedly demolished that market structures and also traders’ wares reportedly worth hundreds of millions of Naira. This policy is an obvious attack on the living conditions of traders and will cause indescribable hardship to millions of people who patronize the market. Where there are need to reconstruct markets or communities, there should be plans that will accommodate the affected people without subjecting them to agony and economic crisis. This clearly shows that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) just like the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) do not have plans for the poor masses. 

Since the return to civil rule in 1999, the ruling political party (AD, ACN and now APC) has demolished many communities and markets for profit motive. We will not forget in a hurry the demolition of Ijora Badia, Otodo Gbame, Oshodi, Oja-Oba market, Tejuosho Market, Makoko, mechanic villages etc. These anti-poor policies are the height of wickedness. For instance, Tejuosho Market was demolished because fire gutted a tiny fraction of the market in 2007 by Governor Fashola-led government and years after the completion, many of the shops are currently unoccupied because they are unaffordable. 

What is more worrisome is the fact that, Lagos State Government has failed in the area of providing conducive and affordable public markets, recreation centres in the communities, sporting facilities, public libraries, public funded free and quality education and healthcare but has turned around to attack the people who are striving to survive the harsh economic realities created by the anti-poor policies of the ruling class and government. 

SPN demands adequate compensation should be paid to traders who lost their shops and goods as a result of the mindless demolitions by the Lagos State Government. SPN also demands the rebuilding of Ile-epo market and for the shops and stalls to be issued to the poor traders who were chased out at affordable rates.  

Shoyombo M.K

Publicity Secretary

08189504337