The leadership of the Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos State has finally reacted over the demolition of structures in the Igbo predominant market.
In a video obtained by AbaCityBlog, a man who identified himself as the Chairman of Alaba International Market, while addressing the press revealed that the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu did not consult them before embarking on the demolition.
The man, who spoke bitterly over the action of the Lagos State government said he wondered if it’s a political vandetta, over the governor’s inability to give them time or consult the market leadership before taking such action.
Addressing the media, the man said, they have lost billions of Naira following the demolition of the market, which according to him, came to them as a surprise.
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He said: “We are the leadership of Alaba International Market, the Lagos State knows that we exist, the local government knows that we exist, have they called the leadership of Alaba International Market? And bring this issues to our notice. The answer is no!
“We have Alaba Almagamated Council… So that when there is a problem, you go to the appropriate authority.
“The day they (Lagos State government) came to my office, I was having a meeting with the BoT, I saw almost a hundred mobile armed policemen, I came and addressed them and said, this place is a market place, why are you frightening us?
“They said they have come for demolition and I asked them, if they had formally informed the leadership of Alaba, because we would work hand in hand with them and would not disturb them from doing their job, but at least, you need to notify us and we will inform our people.
He went further to ask the motive behind the demolition, he said, he is wondering why the demolition, is it that the building should be pulled down and rebuilt or the owners should get any other necessary documents?
“I want to know if they’re trying to reclaim the land and give it to their business counterpart that came all the way from China”, he queried.
Watch the video below
