Agbaje pledges better deal for traders

MUSHIN and Oshodi areas of Lagos on Tuesday hosted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, as his campaign train toured the traders’ communities in Ladipo, Idi-Oro, Oshodi and Ikeja.

   He promised to improve the hygienic conditions in Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market and the welfare of the traders by building a pedestrian bridge at the Toyota bus-stop access of the market, as well as establish a system of overnight waste management.

   Agbaje’s entourage, which included his running mate, Alhaja Safurat Abdulkarim, was well received by the traders.

   Addressing the cheering traders at Ladipo auto market, Agbaje said that from May 29, they would witness an end to the era of impunity that they had suffered at the hand of the Lagos State Government, with incessant shutting of their business place over different excuses.

  “I am a business man and I want to assure you that I know what it means to close your market at the slightest opportunity.”

   He equally condemned the imposition of a Babaloja (market leader) on the market, which is dominated by Igbos. 

  “I want to assure you that we shall reverse this and stop multiple taxation because it is against the principle of natural justice,” he said.

   He lamented that for all the revenue the market generated for the state, it lacked government presence.

   The President-General of Ladipo Central Executive Auto Dealers’ Association, Ikechukwu Animalu, stated that the market hosted about 5,000 shops with over 20,000 occupants.

   Animalu complained that traders operated under a harsh regime of levies and charges imposed by the state government and council officials, with no commensurate services.

   Acknowledging the crucial value of the market to the state’s economy, Agbaje said it would receive more attention under a PDP government.