Ekiti State government yesterday commenced demolition of structures in Oja Oba market, Ado-Ekiti, which was set ablaze recently as a fallout of the crisis between drivers and Hausa people in the state.
As early as 6:30 am yesterday, bulldozers commenced the demolition while many passers-by and traders watched.
Commissioner for Works, Mr. Kayode Osho, told newsmen that the demolition and excavation of the market premises would last for two weeks, after which construction of a modern shopping mall with all the necessary facilities would begin.
He also assured that in 24 months, the mall would be ready and asserting that the state governor, Ayo Fayose, would not start a thing and not complete it before the end of his tenure.
Osho said: “The project is already accepted by the people and would continue to benefit the people: the Oba and the Ewi-in- Council support the project; well-meaning and prominent Ekiti indigenes have all accepted it:
“Compensation was done in collaboration with market owners and in line with standards in the industry; about N120 million was expended on compensation for affected traders. The project will gulp about N2billion. It is going to be an elaborate shopping mall with many other facilities such as petrol filling station, police station, motor parks, and banks among other social infrastructure.”
The commissioner also assured that over 1000 shop owners who have lost their shops to the reconstruction would get new shops after the completion of the mall.
“We already have the list of those who have lost shops and they would be taken care of, and there would also be many other shops as we are going to have over 700 shops to be constructed in the mall,” he said.
Many of the traders in the market lauded the efforts of the governor, describing him as a good man who understands the needs of the common man.
Mr. Adeoye Adeyemi, popularly known as Oluomo Sketch in the market, who sells shoes, said: “Fayose is a good man and his time is very good for us. This market is going to become better. God would continue to bless him. He should continue to remember us. We thank him for the great good he has done for us.”
Hon. Olasehinde Omotosho, former councillor of Ijoka ward, Ado-Ekiti, in his remarks said: “It is a welcome development. There is nothing we can do. The government has compensated the traders; we only need to thank his Excellency, because the project is for the masses. When the market has been constructed I hope the people will enjoy.”
