Victims of the recent fire at Alesinloye Market, Ibadan, have refuted claims that 500 traders were affected, clarifying that the actual number is around 90.
Government Orders Verification of Affected Traders
The Oyo State Government has directed victims to cooperate with the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for proper enumeration and verification.
Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal issued the directive on Friday while hosting affected traders, particularly those from the Plastic and Cooler Sellers Section. He emphasized that the government would only rely on figures provided by the victims themselves.
The statement, released by Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, confirmed that bulldozers had been deployed to clear the site. The government reassured victims of its commitment to supporting them.
Condemning Political Exploitation of the Tragedy
Lawal warned against the spread of misinformation and politicization of the incident.
“People will say many things, some of which are untrue. The government of Governor Seyi Makinde prioritizes the well-being of the people, not hardship,” he stated.
He noted that some reports exaggerated the number of affected traders, inflating it to 500 shops, whereas the victims themselves confirmed the number was about 85.
“We cannot allow false figures to spread. The affected traders will provide their details for proper documentation by Oyo SEMA,” Lawal added.
Traders Appeal Against Market Demolition
Leaders of the Plastic and Cooler Sellers Association, including Chairperson Mrs. Taiwo Lawal, met with the government to express concerns about a possible market demolition.
“We are pleading with the governor not to demolish Alesinloye Market. If redevelopment is necessary, we request to rebuild our shops ourselves,” Mrs. Lawal stated.
She also noted that traders had already cleared a significant portion of the affected area. The Deputy Governor assured them that any redevelopment plans would involve discussions with all stakeholders.
Government’s Next Steps
The Oyo State Government will organize a meeting with:
- Ibadan South LCDA
- Ibadan South-West Local Government
- Alesinloye Market traders
Attending the meeting were Commissioner for Trades and Commerce, Adeniyi Adebisi, and Oyo SEMA Director, Mrs. Ojuolape Busari.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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