The announced plans of Lagos state government over the relocation of the 30 years old, biggest food and perishable goods market in west Africa, Mile 12 has not yet been fulfilled after nine months that the governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode made his intentions known to Lagosians.

It will be recall that the relocation of Mile 12 market to Imota was birthed following the March crisis that engulfed the Agiliti/Maidan Orile community in Mile 12, in which many people were killed and even more wounded. A number of buildings were razed during the crisis, which led the government to close the market and impose a curfew on the area.

“our new commodities market would take off from here and so I like to give the ministry of physical planning the directive to commence activities here within the next one week and the new Mile 12 market would be ready in 6months (that is, by October, 2016)”, the governor said while inspecting the new site project at Imota on April 12, 2016.

The governor added, “We are committed to doing this, we know it is in the interest of all Lagosians that we relocating Mile 12 Market here. The marketers themselves have agreed; the onus is now on us to ensure that we deliver this new market within the next six months.”

However, following the 2017 budget of the state government, it was deduce that a sum of =N=1.5 billion has been earmarked in 2017 budget for the Mile 12 market project in which the governor during his last town hall meeting held at the Ajelogo community also reiterated his passion towards the continuation of the project soon.

In an interview with Hon. Nurudeen Saka Solaja in order to know the plans of the state government over relocation of Mile 12 market to Imota, he made it known that the project has been taken care by 2017 budget and the place will surely be ready for commissioning and usage before the end of this year.

Ayayo Gong gathered that what stalled the relocation of the market The announced plans of Lagos state government over the relocation of the 30 years old, biggest food and perishable goods market in west Africa, Mile 12 has not yet been fulfilled after nine months that the governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode made his intentions known to Lagosians.

It will be recall that the relocation of Mile 12 market to Imota was birthed following the March crisis that engulfed the Agiliti/Maidan Orile community in Mile 12, in which many people were killed and even more wounded. A number of buildings were razed during the crisis, which led the government to close the market and impose a curfew on the area.

“our new commodities market would take off from here and so I like to give the ministry of physical planning the directive to commence activities here within the next one week and the new Mile 12 market would be ready in 6months (that is, by October, 2016)”, the governor said while inspecting the new site project at Imota on April 12, 2016.

The governor added, “We are committed to doing this, we know it is in the interest of all Lagosians that we relocating Mile 12 Market here. The marketers themselves have agreed; the onus is now on us to ensure that we deliver this new market within the next six months.”

However, following the 2017 budget of the state government, it was deduce that a sum of =N=1.5 billion has been earmarked in 2017 budget for the Mile 12 market project in which the governor during his last town hall meeting held at the Ajelogo community also reiterated his passion towards the continuation of the project soon.

In an interview with Hon. Nurudeen Saka Solaja (Member, Lagos State House of Assembly. Ikorodu Consituency II) in order to know the plans of the state government over relocation of Mile 12 market to Imota, he made it known that the project has been taken care by 2017 budget and the place will surely be ready for commissioning and usage before the end of this year.

Ayayo Gong gathered that what stalled the relocation of the market within six months period as promised by the state government was due to the fact that there was no much provision for the project in the 2016 Budget.

According to a resident of Imota, (name witheld) said, “the proposed site has only been cleared and work have been suspended since the year 2016.  The governor’s  perceived silent on the project, casts a doubt in the minds of Lagosians on whether the governor have come to sell a dummy to Lagosians or he’s using the project as a bait for subsequent elections, only time will tell”.

The Residents of Imota and its environs are now worried that not much seems to be taking place at the proposed site of the market even as the six-month proposed relocation period is already over. within six months period as promised by the state government was due to the fact that there was no much provision for the project in the 2016 Budget.

According to a resident of Imota, (name witheld) said, “the proposed site has only been cleared and work have been suspended since the year 2016.  The governor’s  perceived silent on the project, casts a doubt in the minds of Lagosians on whether the governor have come to sell a dummy to Lagosians or he’s using the project as a bait for subsequent elections, only time will tell”.

The Residents of Imota and its environs are now worried that not much seems to be taking place at the proposed site of the market even as the six-month proposed relocation period is already over.