Developer of remodelled Ile-Epo market gives reasons for demolition exercise

Contrary to the speculations that the Total Value Integrated Limited (developer), National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW and Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Authority, connived to drive traders out of the popular Ile-Epo market which led to the demolition exercise, the developer disclosed that the market was demolished in order to give the market a befitting look deserving of mega city like Lagos State.

Mr. Chris Onyekachi, Managing Director, Total Value Integrated Limited, told newsmen on Friday while the demolition was going on.

According to him, the traders were given 18 months notice to vacate the market for redevelopment. He revealed that some traders left the market, while others refused to act.

He said, “We gave them 18 months notice to leave the market. Many of them have packed out while some remained. We came here around 7:30am on Friday for the demolition at the termination of the ultimatum guven. We have given them alternative places within the market to display their wares.

“We are not demolishing the whole market now. We are doing it in three phases. The market was an eyesore not befitting a mega city like Lagos,” he noted.

Onyekachi however denied the allegation that his company  connived with the NURTW and the council authorities to drive the traders out of the market.

He said, “People will always trend rumour but we have nothing to do with the Union to take over the market. We gave them good time to leave. The place was an eyesore. What we are doing is for the good of the public,” he said.

The developer assured the traders that once the redevelopment of the market was completed, the traders would be given preference at discounted rate to own shops in the market before others.

Onyekachi said change was always hard to come by and that people would normally resist such, but that in the end, it would be for the good of all, adding that the first phase of the market redevelopment would be completed between three and four months.

The developer, Total Value Integrated Limited, was awarded the contract to redevelop the market within 12 months from the commencement of construction. The contract for the project was awarded by the Agbado Okeodo LCDA.

On completion, the market will have generating set, water treatment plant, malls, daycare centres, banking hall, police post, car park, garage, fire station, over 1000 shops , cold storage rooms to mention but a few.