Lagos State governor , Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, announced the donation of N100 million compensation to traders of the burnt Akere Motor Parts and Allied Dealers Association (AMPADA) in Ajegunle, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Council, stressing that there is no room for politics to divide the residents.
Sanwo-Olu made the donation at the foundation laying ceremony for reconstruction of the market that got burnt last week Thursday.
The governor said the compensation for the traders is aimed at cushioning the loss they suffered, disclosing that the new market would be a storey-building instead of bungalow that it was before.
He said: “A week or less ago we promised to come back here to give immediate support to the people who were affected by the unfortunate incident. This isn’t politics. It’s just a coincidence that it is a political season.
“I’m happy to be here to lay the foundation for the new market building. Now it’s a storey building, and the small compensation that will alleviate the suffering and loss of our traders here. It’s for us to make a clear stand that we are not about the ethnic or religious division, we are a government that is people- centred and working to make things better for them, no matter what party or where they come from.
“As long as they are law abiding, keep to laws guiding the environment and respect the heritage of where they do business, they will always be accommodated.
“This will also send a clear message to people who want to divide us that we won’t let a little number disunite a large number of people, we won’t give them a space in Lagos and in our government.”
Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Fatai Ayoola, thanked the governor for keeping to his promise and pledged to reciprocate the gesture by voting for him on Saturday.
He said: “True to your word you are here today in Ajegunle to compensate the marketers for their loss and also lay the foundation for their new market. We thank you and wish that your efforts will be rewarded in Saturday’s election. We assure you that in Ajegunle we will do all within the ambit of the law to canvas for you because you’ve done so much for us. You rebuilt the Obafon and Mbakadoso roads, as well as the Maracana Stadium for youths.”
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyitolu, led a team from his agency and council officials to the site for evacuation of debris and dirt for the next stage of the rebuilding process.
Oke-Osanyitolu said his agency and the council chairman have been instructed by Governor Sanwo-Olu to collaborate to not only ensure speedy completion of the market, but also to provide some succour to the traders.
He added that the governor asked that his agency should work with the local council to enumerate the affected traders for appropriate compensation.
The Secretary to Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Council, Mr. Jimoh Abolaji, who did not give the actual number of affected shops, maintained that the council would play a critical role in the rebuilding and support for the traders.
He added that since the incident occured, senior council officials had been going round to douse ethnic tension, assuring the traders that they can operate freely within the council.
