The New Gbagi Petty Traders Association at the Bola Ige International Market, Ibadan, has appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to reconsider his plan to demolish parts of the market, warning that the move could displace over 4,000 petty traders and endanger their livelihoods.
Led by their chairman, Engr. Kola Oyewole, the traders held a rally at the market, pleading with the governor to protect them from alleged oppression and leadership compromises within the market.
Oyewole urged Makinde to halt the demolition of containers and makeshift stands, cautioning that it could pave the way for developers to rebuild and lease spaces at unaffordable prices.
He noted that most of the traders are widows, widowers, and breadwinners who rely on loans from microfinance institutions with high-interest rates to sustain their businesses.
He said: “Going by past experiences in the market, those who had, had their shops demolished and rebuilt by developers lost everything and are now wallowing in pains, as they could not afford developers heavy money.
“We, the Petty Traders Association has passed vote of no confidence on the so-called Elders in the market. They are liars, oppressors and kil-joy people. We are now readyto discuss with our listening, peoples/masses oriented and forward-looking Governor Seyi Makinde.
“The Governor should allow us to rebuild our shops by ourselves, if that is what they wanted, just for the authority to give us the prototype and other things shall follow. We don’t want developers to come and rebuild for us.
“The Petty Traders are well over 4,000 in the market. Please and plea se, where do you want us to relocate? Even now, things are hard, tough and businesses are very dull”.
