The Oyo State Government, on Wednesday, debunked allegations that it has replaced the car park at Bola Ige International Business Complex, popularly known as Gbagi Market, with new shops and extorted money from unsuspecting traders overnight.

The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives, and Industry, Adeniyi Adebisi, stated that the claim is entirely false, mischievous, and an intentional misrepresentation of an ongoing, well-planned redevelopment project.

He stated that the Gbagi market redevelopment effort is being spearheaded in phases by the Oyo State Government, under the supervision of the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives, and Industry, in close partnership with the market leadership and representatives of zonal traders’ associations.

Mr. Adebisi said the portion of land being referred to was not an official car park but an underutilised area, prone to illegal vending and security risks.

The commissioner said following broad consultation with stakeholders, it was approved for formal stall development to promote orderliness and improve access and safety within the market environment.

“Furthermore, no part of the main designated car park has been taken over or eliminated. The new shops are not situated in the core vehicle parking zone,” he said.

“Allocations were not made secretly or overnight, but through a transparent and documented process, coordinated by the leadership of the traders and relevant government departments.

“Standardised shop allocation fees were communicated in advance to interested traders with options to opt in or out. There is no evidence of ‘coerced’ payments as wrongly alleged.”

He reiterated that no trader will be unjustly displaced, and the project will be executed in line with the master plan agreed upon with all key market stakeholders.

Adebisi urged members of the public, particularly media outlets, to verify facts before disseminating reports that could incite public unrest or mislead residents.

He also encouraged market leaders and traders to channel concerns or inquiries to the Market Support Desk at the ministry or reach out directly to the designated liaison officers.

He said, “The general public, particularly our esteemed market stakeholders, is urged to disregard this fabrication, which is clearly being sponsored by opposition elements and detractors determined to politicise every laudable initiative of the present administration.”

Furthermore, the Chairman of the Zonal Caretaker Leaders’ Bola Ige International Business Complex, Gbagi Ibadan, Alhaji Adetonan Morufu, who featured on a radio station programme in Ibadan on Wednesday, firmly debunked the allegations and clarified the facts behind the redevelopment effort.