Ladipo, A Market Begging For Attention

IT is no longer news that Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market in Mushin local council, Lagos was once shut down for many months because of its filthiness. And while the closure lasted, all business activities stopped. This led to a loss of huge sums of money on the part of the traders and the government, which also lost revenue.

  The market was, however, reopened after the intervention of some well-meaning Nigerians. Before agreeing to allow business resume, the government extracted a promise from the traders, as well as the various associations in the market to keep the place clean always. This cleanliness was to also be extended to the canal that connects the market to Ajao Estate and Ejigbo, which had become a dumping ground of sort. The idea was to keep it clean and free to allow for easy flow of water.

  Sadly, a few months after the market was reopened, things have returned to its former self and all the promises made are now a thing of the past. Not only has the place returned to its old mucky self, but also the various associations have thrown caution into the wind. The canal, which before now was clean with the water freely flowing through it, has again been turned to a dumping ground. It is also serving as a defecating ground for traders, especially those who hang around there at night.     

  Expectedly, the whole place is now emitting an offensive odour with residents and traders, especially those from different parts of the West African sub-region calling on the health authorities to take a closer look at the place. This becomes very essential, as some African countries have not been declared free of Ebola, which could pose a health risk to all those patronising the market. It is also necessary to avoid diseases associated with poor sanitary.    

  Speaking to The Guardian on the nuisance being created by the traders, some residents in the area said: “we are living in the area because we do not have an alternative place to go. But we are appealing to the government to take urgent steps to save us from contacting terrible diseases. It is truly worrisome what the traders are doing all in the name of business.” 

   Not only the residents are complaining, however, the traders whose shops face the canal or are close to it are equally calling on concerned authorities to put a check on the activities around the canal because of the stench emanating from it. According to them, this situation is causing some untold hardship, as well as a decline in sales for them, as customers, who are unable to bear the offensive smell, usually avoid their shops. 

     Known for the sales of used auto spare parts from Europe and other countries across Asia and America, the market serves as an avenue for many Lagosians to eke out a living. It also attracts traders from different Western Africa countries, including Chad and the Republic of Cameroun, who come to buy goods, especially auto spare parts.

        When the market was reopened in 2013 after many months of closure for environmental offences, Lagos State Environmental Task Force constructed a wire gauze fence to prevent traders from crossing and using the canal as a dumping ground. But this fence has already been partially pulled down to create a passage for people to do whatever they like around the canal.

   Aside the nauseating human activities, the muddy part of the canal has been overgrown with grasses, thereby obstructing the flow of water and making it smell.  

  Expressing her dissatisfaction to The Guardian, Mrs. Funke Owolabi, a resident in the area said, “we have done our best to keep the canal clean, but the traders have consistently drop waste materials such as plastic bottles, used sachet water bags, worn out tyres and even throw faeces into it, making the whole area to exude offensive odour. 

  “It is time for government to intervene. We want Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) to help us remove the waste. Also Mushin local council should help sanitise the market because it is under its control. After all, it’s generating revenue from it.”

   Buttressing Owolabi’s view, Chief Godwin Okezie, a businessman in the market said that sometimes, traders with shops facing the canal do not open for days.

   Said he: “The bad odour is not good for our health apart from the fact that it is also affecting our business. Customers hardly come to our corner, which is affecting us because we now record low sales. We are in difficult time and we need government’s intervention.”

  Some of the people that spoke to The Guardian believe that government is tolerating the excesses of the traders to avoid ruffling their feathers, especially as the Election Day is just around the corner.