Funmi Ogundare
The Irepodun Market Association, Tego, Marine Beach, Apapa, has expressed concern over the encroachment into its space by the Nigerian Customs Services (NCS), which has raised apprehensions among the members of the market association and fellow market vendors.
The association had in January 23, 2024, written a letter with the subject ‘Save our Souls’, to the office of the Iyaloja-General and Chairman of the Lagos State Market Advisory Council, Alausa, Ikeja, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, expressing their concerns over the potential impact this claim and encroachment by the Customs will have and has been having on their day-to-day operations of the market.
The Chairman of the market and the Iyaloja, Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Mrs. Olanike Owoseni-Badiah, in a statement, explained that the move had rendered some of their members unable to trade or lay claims to their respective allocations.
According to her, “In the course of the encroachment by the Nigerian Customs Services, some damages were done to some already existing shops, thereby rendering the shop occupiers out of business since the incident in December, 2023.”
She recalled that the market has been in existence for over 52 years and that she and some other members of the market have been trading in the same space since 1975 with the knowledge of the Lagos State Government and a certificate of registration awarded since then.
The chairman, however, appealed to the state government to address the issues by initiating a dialogue with the relevant authorities so as to safeguard the interests of the market community and explore solutions that will ensure that the activities of Customs do not adversely affect the market operations.
“The association will appreciate the urgent attention of the Lagos State Government to this matter, as we look forward to a positive outcome that keeps the functioning of the market going,” Owoseni-Badjah stated.
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