Traders at the Ajumose Complex within the popular Dugbe Market in Ibadan yesterday staged a protest against what they described as a breach of agreement and a potential threat to their means of livelihood by the Ibadan Northwest Local Government. The traders, led by their chairman, who identified himself as Mr Ola Bakare, gathered at the entrance of the market complex on Sunday to express their displeasure over plans by the local government to build new shops on the only parking space available in the complex. Speaking with reporters, Mr Bakare explained that shop owners acquired their spaces in 2019 on a 15-year lease agreement, each paying 805,000 naira. According to him, the situation began to change following the assumption of office by the current local government administration, which started adding more shops within the complex, including around the toilet facilities. He said the latest development that triggered the protest was the arrival of several trucks loaded with building materials such as blocks, gravel, and iron rods at the market entrance on Sunday morning. The traders said the local government officials who accompanied the vehicles informed them of plans to commence construction on the parking area. “The parking space is the only one we have for customers coming to patronise us,” Mr Bakare said. “If the government builds shops there, it will affect our businesses badly.” Mr Bakare further explained that he only received information about the proposed construction from the Local Government Chairman on Thursday or Friday. He said a meeting was held where the chairman promised to consider their request not to use the entire parking space for new shops. According to him, the chairman instructed that officials should only take measurements of the parking area to determine what could be done. However, when the officials arrived, they allegedly attempted to offload all the building materials instead, contrary to the chairman’s directive. This led the traders to lock the market gates, preventing the trucks from entering. The situation reportedly became tense until officers of the Nigerian Police intervened to restore calm. While the protest is on, the trucks left the scene, while the traders proceeded to the Ibadan Northwest Local Government Secretariat to further express their grievances. All efforts by our correspondent to reach the Ibadan Northwest Local Government chairman for comments proved abortive.
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