Lagos fails to relocate Mile 12 Market within 6 months

The promise by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to move the popular Mile 12 Market from the present location in Ketu area of the state, to Imota, in Ikorodu, before the end of 2016, will not be fulfilled. Findings show that there is no serious development at the site in Imota to accommodate hundreds of traders expected to have moved from Mile 12 within six months of Governor Ambode’s pronouncement in April this year.

However, following the governor’s directive, the proposed site had been cleared. The decision to relocate the market said to be the biggest commodity market in West Africa, was immediately prompted by the need to check incessant clashes between the traders and their host community. In March this, a clash between the Hausa community and their Yoruba hosts led to the death of scores of persons, and massive destruction of houses, vehicles and other properties.

Apart from the frequent clashes, the market located along the expressway, is seen as a major cause of intractable gridlock on the Ikorodu-Mile 12 axis. Determined to move the market and free up the axis of its habitual traffic jams and other social associated vices, the Ambode led administration had acquired a land at Imota in Ikorodu, and directed the ministry of physical planning and urban development to set machinery in motion for the movement within six months.

However, a source within the ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the movement of the market could not be effected within the six months projected because the finances to accomplish the task, was not captured in the 2016 budget. “The project was not captured in the 2016 budget. But in the budget reordering during the year, money was made available to start the initial work including consultancy, clearing of the site and fencing, which is what is going on now.

The actual construction will commence next year. Provision has been made for that in the 2017 budget,” said the source. Governor Ambode during his visit to Imota in April, had said: “We are aware that we had a little crisis at Mile 12 market recently and here is the new site that we are relocating Mile 12 market. “Our new commodity market would take off from here and so I like to give the ministry of physical planning the directive to commence activities here within the next one week.

We believe that if we start within the next seven days, within the next six months, Mile 12 Market, Ketu will be a thing of the past.” “We are committed to doing this. We know it is in the interest of all Lagosians that we relocate Mile 12 market. The marketers themselves have agreed; the onus is now on us to ensure that we deliver this new market within the next six months.’’