The Executive Chairman of Ojodu LCDA, Hon. David Olusegun Odunmbaku has tasked the management of Abibatu Mogaji Multipurpose market to be innovative in generating income and alleviating the stress of shoppers, market men and women.
The Chairman made this appeal at a meeting held with the market leaders and some aggrieved shop owners and shoppers.
The bone of contention of the meeting was to address the issues of revenue generation, exorbitant service charges, high electricity bills, inaccessible elevator, parking space etc.
One of the stall owners, Mrs Lawal Biola appealed that their teeming plights be looked into in order to make their presence at the market worthwhile and profitable.
“We are using this medium to appeal that paying N280,000 and above for service charge and electricity bill is inimical to our business, car park rate should be reduced and lifts should be functional in order to draw customers to our stalls” Lawal retorted.
Nevertheless, the Council Mayor expressed his displeasure concerning the state of the market; noting that rather than the present Zero per cent income, the market Complex is expected to be a better source of income for the Council.
Therefore, Odunmbaku charged that all efforts must be made in order to make the complex conducive for all by extending the closing hours to about 8pm or 9pm, in order to maximize the potential of the market; reducing service charges and rate for parking space; creating more innovative and friendly ways of generating income into the coffers of the Council; providing a solar-powered alternative source of power generation; as he promised to inaugurate and chair a committee that would put lasting solutions to the teaming challenges being experienced at the moment.
The Chairman further stressed that all hands must be on deck by the the council, financiers and the property management at ensuring that the market operates at optimal level in order to serve the purpose it is meant for
“I want to assure you that the local council development area would put in all necessary apparatus for the smooth running and at the same time all stakeholders must play their roles as the modern market is the pride of Ojodu and should generate enough revenue to maintain , sustain and even use for the development of the council area”
He urged business owners to take advantage of the few openings that are still available at the complex for their businesses
In his comment, the representative of Eliezer Ltd (Developer), Mr Kehinde Fajana reeled out all efforts that have been put in place to tackle the conspicuous challenges in the market, with the promise to improve on the service delivery and ensure all issues are resolved as soon as possible.
Also present at the meeting were representative of the financiers of the project Jubilee life mortgage Mr Gbenga Mayungbe,Managing Director RPDC Property Development a subsidiary of Jubilee life mortgage, the Council-Manager, Engr. Dele Abayomi, Iyaloja General of Ojodu LCDA Alhaja Folashade Salako, Iyaloja of Multipurpose market Alhaja Ganiat Kasumu, Legal Officer Ojodu lcda Barr. Afolabi Kalejaiye, Market women & men representatives, and stall owners.
