The entrance to the Lagos State House of Assembly was barricaded by protesters who are members and traders under the aegis of the Orilowo Perishable Food Market Association for ignoring her petition.
The protest, led by the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR), in collaboration with civil society stakeholders, demanded immediate approval of the Orilowo Perishable Food Market located at Plot 705 Adekunle Bus Stop, Ikorodu Road, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA.
President of CHSR, Comr. Alex Omotehinse said that the market, having fulfilled the requirements to operate a market, should be given the approval to operate within a recognised market in line with established rules and standards that the association is ready to comply with.
He said the market has over 1000 traders, comprising market men, women, drivers, and loaders, whose means of livelihood are adversely threatened by the non-approval of the site for market operation by Agboyi-Ketu LCDA.
Omotehinse said, “The petitioners wrote a letter dated 16 May 2022, to Agboyi-Ketu LCDA seeking approval of a designated site; unfortunately, officials of the LCDA have deliberately refused to grant approval as requested by the association, thus putting their business activities in jeopardy.
“We are therefore, by this petition, demanding the intervention of the Lagos State House of Assembly to call Agboyi-Ketu LCDA and relevant agencies to order, with the view to actualizing the approval of the requested space as the operational base of the Orilowo Perishable Food Market Association.”.
In response to the protesters, the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Noheem Adams, said that an invitation letter would be sent to the protesters inviting them to a meeting with other stakeholders and the Agboyi-Ketu LCDA Chairman for a fair hearing.
He commended the peaceful protest, saying, “Protest is part of democracy, and it is right to protest when you are aggrieved.
“You have written a petition to the Speaker, who has approved your petition and forwarded it to the Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and the Chieftaincy. I assure you that you will receive a letter of invitation today. You are invited on 9 January 2024, for a meeting with all stakeholders involved.
“We appeal that you give us the opportunity; we would ensure justice; we would do the needful; but we need to hear from all parties involved, including the LCDA chairman. We cannot hear from only you and decide; we need to hear from all stakeholders.
“We have to give everyone a fair hearing so we can come up with a resolution that would benefit everyone involved”.
