The Oyo State Government has that its quit notice to plank sellers at the Temidire plank market, Ibadan was not because of land ownership but the need to address the welfare of the citizens of the state.
It would be recalled that the plank sellers were issued a 48-hour quit notice, to vacate the premises, on Wednesday.
Only last week, government shut down the premises, after several resistance by the traders.
Accompanied by the special adviser to the government on security matters, Mr. Segun Bolarinwa and the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr. Gabriel Oguntola, the state commissioner for environment and water resources, Chief Isaac Ishola, who had earlier moved round the market to ascertain the compliance order, said “that the activities of the traders in the market is inimical and a threat to the health of the residents, adding that the Government will not allow any person or group of persons to jeopardize its effort in ensuring clean and aesthetic environment, free of flood”.
A statement by the media officer in the ministry, Olusegun Adesoji quoted Ishola as explaining that the market has no toilet, no drainages through which water can flow freely, noting that Oyo State has been predicted to be flooded by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet) this year.
“He noted further that the residents have written several complaint letters calling on government to come to their aid, due to the dust and odour emanating from the sawdust and the smoke from the burning of sawdust”.
He, however, “urged the traders to move to the government approved Plank Market that is suitable for their activities, adding that about 2 years ago property worth billions of naira were destroyed at Sango plank market due to burning of sawdust”. The traders, speaking through Mr. Waheed Azeez, appealed for more time to move their wares, noting that 48 hours will not be enough to move their wares.
While promising to comply with all government decisions, the traders urgedgovernment to provide better and more space for their operation.
