By Dipo Olowookere
Ogun State Governor, Mr Ibikunle Amosun, on Thursday, allocated about 1,050 open, lock up shops, market stalls and shop spaces to traders who are beneficiaries of newly constructed ultra-modern shopping malls located at Laderin, Sapon, Isale Igbehin, Itoku and Omida areas of Abeokuta.
Governor Amosun, speaking after allocating the shops to beneficiaries, promised to replicate the same modern shopping malls in Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Sango Ota, and Ifo areas of the state.
He explained that the construction of these malls across the state would aid development and bring socio-economic benefits to citizens.
The Governor noted that consequent upon the allocation, no trader would henceforth be allowed to display their wares flagrantly by the road side.
Governor Amosun explained that the ultra-modern shopping complexes were distributed, first to those traders whose stalls were demolished in order to pave way for the modern market construction.
He also seized the occasion to assure those who were not included in the present allocation that the state government has started the construction of the second phase of the modern shopping complexes.
Governor Amosun assured the traders of his administration’s commitment to always create enabling environment for their businesses to thrive adding that all those selling related items have been allocated shops beside each other for easier access to their products by customers.
The modern shopping malls have facilities such as elevators, escalators, electricity, private and general toilets and other modern conveniences.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Lekan Adegbite, disclosed that toilet facilities built for the markets would be managed by private sector facility managers.
In her address, the General Manager and Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs Jumoke Akinwunmi, said the ultra-modern markets are needed because of the level of socio-economic development that have dotted the entire state and for the benefits of traders.
Speaking on behalf of the allottees, the Iyalojas and Babalojas of Itoku, Sapon, Omida and Isale-Igbehin markets unanimously expressed their appreciation to the Governor for fulfilling his promise to traders.
