Over 20,000 residents of Ketu-Ijanikin could heave a sigh of relief, after having lived with no market for years.

This came as StreetNet International, a global organisation committed to informal traders, in partnership with UN Habitat and supported by Federation of Informal Workers Organisation of Nigeria (FIWON), commenced plans to construct a new market for the community.

Ketu-Ijanikin is a rural town in Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area of Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos.

The Guardian gathered that the local dwellers travel as far as Mile 2, Iyana Oba or Alaba local markets before they can get foodstuffs and other commodities.

This has caused them pain and agony .

To reduce the challenge, at a three-day workshop organised by the group, about 36 trainees drawn from different segments of local market groups, under FIWON, were taught how to use Minecraft Participatory Methodology to design a market template.

General Secretary of FIWON, Gbenga Komolafe, said the aim was to design the proposed market, since a site was in view in the community.

“We have taught them how to use the Minecraft Methodology to design generally. They would put it all together, with a picture of what market structure they have in mind. They are grouped in 12 (three in each). The project is expected to be commissioned by the second quarter of 2024, ” he assured.

A resident, Taofeek Nofisat, urged political leaders at the National Assembly and State House of Assembly to fix the access roads to the community and the market site.

Another participant from Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development at University of Lagos, Olanrewaju Samson, affirmed that the project would open more opportunities for environmental development, as markets connect people from all walks of life.