Lagos govt notifies Computer Village traders of imminent move to Katangowa in stakeholders meeting 

Lagos govt notifies Computer Village traders of imminent move to Katangowa in stakeholders meeting

Lagos State government on Monday gave an 18-month period for traders at the Computer Village, Ikeja, to relocate to the new site at Katangowa, Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.

Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development, Architect Gbolahan Oki, speaking during the stakeholders meeting with Computer Village traders on Monday

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting held at the market with the executives of the market and all the traders, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Arch. Gbolahan Oki, said the state government has put necessary facilities in place at the new location to make the place conducive for the traders.

He noted that the present location in Ikeja was formerly a residential area, which over the years was converted into a center for trading without approval of the government.

Oki added that the plan to relocate the traders to Katangowa had been in place since 2006, but due to the slow pace of development work going on at the new location, the relocation has suffered setbacks.

Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development, Architect Gbolahan Oki, speaking during the stakeholders meeting with Computer Village traders on Monday

He, however, said ‘now is the time ‘ for the traders to move as the government has concluded major works at the new place.

The Permanent Secretary told the traders that the stakeholders’ engagement was to carry them along on the government’s plan, adding that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu believes in inclusiveness and the welfare of the people.

“The governor is passionate about the development of the infrastructure of Lagos State, and he wants all of you to be aware of the relocation. Katangowa is a place chosen for everything relating to this market. It’s 15 hectares of land. It is near to all the materials you need for your businesses,” he told the traders.

He added, “The present location used to be a residential area, and so many things are attached to this place. Where the government is taking you to is well laid out, and we want all of you to know what the relocation is all about. We want to work with you and plan the relocation together. Everyone wants change, but there are things that will affect us if we are going to experience that change.

The government wants your cooperation to ensure the relocation comes to pass. The time is now. We have to make the project a reality. The relocation period is 18 months.”

Pending the relocation, Oki warned the traders to desist from displaying their wares on the walkways and roadside at the present location, saying the government will not hesitate to wield the big stick against violators of the government’s rules.

The Project Coordinator, Olayinka Bello, told the traders that the new location has been designed to accommodate some infrastructure, such as a police post, hotels, and accessibility to the BRT terminal for easy movement, adding that road construction around the area is ongoing.

She added that the Katangowa location will promote business growth and expansion, create more employment for youth, increase government internally generated revenue, and decongest the present location.

The Iyaloja of Computer Village, Chief Abisola Azeez, said the executive of the market, in 2006, reached an agreement with the then governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, now president, to relocate the market to Katangowa and urged the traders to abide by the government’s decision to relocate them within the period.