OSHODI MARKET: GOVERNOR AMBODE SHOULD SET-UP EFFECTIVE COMPENSATION SYSTEMS

The Daily Sun on Monday 1/12/16 reported the displacement of 5,240 Igbo traders from the Oshodi Market. That is a very traumatic and sad development, for the affected Nigerian families on how they earn the daily bread.

Governor Ambode should rightly take responsibility for his Government's actions. If his Government wanted the Oshodi Market location so bad that they were willing to displace 5,240 traders to re-appropriate the land, the Government should also stand up and take responsibility for the fall-out, while putting adequate compensation in place. That is a responsible Government.

Information reaching APGA THINK-TANK offices, reveal a Lagos State Government frustration at not reaching accommodation with the traders despite numerous tries. Also, the traders difficulty with heeding fore-warning systems set up by the State Government of the impending demolition action. Government also seemed frustrated at the traders reluctance at re-locating to new and different market sites in Lagos.

That may not be a reason to displace 5,240 constructively employed citizens of Nigeria. We are not talking of temporary camp sites, or squatters who illegally litter the streets of Lagos. We are talking about meaningfully engaged Nigerians, who were based out of a site originally and officially allocated by then Lagos State Government of the day.
We are talking about conscientious Job creators, Employers, suppliers who provide amenities of daily-living to the Nigerian citizenry. Bread winners who sustain our economy by paying taxes to the local Lagos base. People who help keep our families intact, provide wives with the meal-ticket, pay rents for the family to live in, pay school fees and provide school uniforms for the children, Pay state, and local Government levies to keep the Municipality and State afloat. These are your ordinary citizens. Any country in the world would pray to have and embrace such responsible citizenry.


At the APGA THINK-TANK, it is our opinion that Governor Ambode should wake up to the responsible citizenry, their needs and how they may be governed. Nobody said it was easy. That is why we choose Leaders carefully. Autocratic actions do not endear the responsible populace, especially the taxable citizenry to the Government.  Any Government.

5240 meaningfully employed Nigerian citizens can hold the economy of any state in Nigeria, Any day. They cannot be ignored, or left destitute.  Governor Ambode cannot pretend ignorance. At the APGA THINK-TANK, we are of the opinion that The Lagos State Government and revenue base is rich enough to compensate the affected traders. Lagos is our melting pot, and must be treated with such respect. Attempts to make Lagos seem like a a colony being re-appropriated by local hosts will only fail.
Nobody is leaving Lagos. The current administration must wizen up to this reality, and accommodate the cosmopoly..

Governor Ambode should strive to grow an urbane, tolerant, world-wise city. The beauty of Lagos is the growth of the its multi-cultural families living off the different Lagos suburbs, and their ability to accommodate each other.  That sentiment must be allowed to grow.
Actually, If Governor Ambode's priority was to improve the quality of life of Lagos residents, he should have begun with cleaning up and providing infrastructure to residents of Isale-oko, Ikate, Ijeshatodun, itire among others, which slums are an eyesore to any respectable Government and citizenry.

Governor Ambode should study the list of the displaced 5240 Igbo traders, and set up a committee to re-instate them at the New markets said to be already set up by the Lagos Government, which were said to be made for them anyway. The committee should also study the trades plied by the individual traders and compensation to effectively resume their trades. That is the responsible Government. Governor Ambode should show his metropolitan, considerate side.

The Igbos are not taking that Midnight train to Georgia.
We will live in Lagos. The Lagos state Government should wake up to the reality, and do the needful.


Sgd:
Policy Directorate
APGA THINK-TANK
NIGERIA