Two years after the crisis that rocked the Sasa Market in Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde on Tuesday, commissioned an ultramodern facility with 200 lock-up shops, 84 units of open shops, 8 units of toilets for men and women, office unit, trailer and car parks.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the governor called on all residents of the state not to allow religion, ethnicity, and other differences to divide them, charging the market men and women who would occupy the new facility to dwell in peace.
He said: “I want to admonish you to continue to work together. When the crisis started, the Hausa people were with the Seriki while the Yoruba people were with the Baale. But today, I want everyone to see this development as a symbol to unite everyone.”
Two separate incidents that occurred in November 2020 and February 2021, had rocked the old market which led to the loss of lives and property worth millions of naira.
With the commissioning of the ultramodern facility, the governor appealed to the residents never to allow for a repeat occurrence.
Makinde noted: “When the last incident happened, few of my colleagues came because people were concerned throughout Nigeria. You know that if the incident was not well-managed then, it would have spread throughout the whole of the country but we thank God for the management. So, I want to appeal to us that this new structure should become a symbol of unity and oneness. Each time we come to the market to buy or sell something, let it be a reminder that we are one.”
The governor, who used the occasion to reiterate the commitment of his administration to building infrastructure that targets the economy of the state, urged residents of the state to be watchful in the coming elections and to ensure that they reject politicians who lack simple knowledge of the state’s situation.
Earlier, the chairman of Akinyele Local Government Area, Mr Taoheed Adedigba, lauded Governor Makinde for his excellent achievements in the local government area, which he said were already transforming the local government into an ultra-modern city that could be compared with Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Adedigba noted: “Some of the numerous developmental projects in our dear local government include Ojoo Bus Terminal, tarring of Moniya/Iseyin Road, location of Amotekun Headquarters, provision of modern and sophisticated health equipment, resuscitation of the Pacesetter Quarry, lighting up of the local government community and ongoing second phase of Akinyele Farmers’ Market along Akinyele/Oyo road.”
He said his administration at the local government level would continue to complement the efforts of the state government and key into the governor’s vision of restoring the glory of Oyo State.
Emmanuel Ukoh
