The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed concerns over the recent demolition of Alaba Rago Market in Lagos State, describing it as a major setback for thousands of Nigerians whose livelihoods depended on the facility.
Traders at the popular market in the Ojo Local Government Area of the state had appealed to the state government for compensation over the losses incurred following the latest demolition, said to be the second hit at the nearly five-decade-old food, livestock, and scrap metal market.
It was gathered that the latest demolition began on Sunday, 17 August, till Wednesday, 20 August, displacing several traders.
In a statement on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tanko Muhammad-Baba, the ACF said the demolition had disrupted lives and businesses, leading to huge property losses and economic hardship for traders.
‘Expectedly, the demolition of the historic market has resulted in loss of businesses and property, with disruption to the means of livelihoods and other woes for thousands of people’, the statement read.
The ACF, however, noted with relief that no lives were lost during the exercise. It also commiserated with those affected, urging them to draw on their resilience in overcoming the hardship.
‘Hopefully, the usual famed stoic resilience of our industrious people will come into play in helping those affected to cope with losses arising from the demolition’, Muhammad-Baba said.
He noted that the forum had commenced efforts to gather comprehensive details of the incident, including its causes and broader impact, as part of plans to engage stakeholders.
‘The outcome of the investigations should provide a basis for an engagement with the affected community and the Lagos State Government for a satisfactory resolution of the problem’, he added.
The forum also urged both the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government to provide immediate relief and support for victims.
