In a move to allay fears and dispel rumors, the Oyo State Government has assured the state’s traders that their interests will be protected and that none of its policies or agenda will negatively impact the market.
The assurance was given by the state’s Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Commerce, Honorable Ademola Ojo popularly known as ‘Ijaya’ during the official re-opening of newly renovated Bola Ige International Market Health Centre by the consultant in charge of the market, Engr Khareem Abduljelyl Adekunle Adanla.
The commissioner also lauded the state consultant in charge of the market, Engr Abduljely Karheem, Mogaji Adanla for his proactive steps towards restoring the lost glory of the market.
The Hon Commissioner noted that the Engr Seyi Makinde’s led administration knows the capabilities of the consultant, hence why he got the job among others who bid for it.
While speaking with journalists at the event, Ojo said: “We need to encourage our Governor for he has invested so much in developing this state, his interest is to develop and move this state forward, we don’t have to start giving him trouble, I don’t like to feed him with any negative reports, that is why we are appointed, we are working with him to ensure we move this state forward.”
“We are there to handle issues on his behalf, we are to handle issues that can move our dear state forward, I personally love going to the governor and discuss positive issues that can move our state forward, what is our duties as an appointees if we cannot assist the Governor with our wealth of experience to move the state forward?”
“For my ministry, this task ahead of us requires your cooperation, we are going to be doing this together, and I’m assuring you that no government agenda will have negative impact on our traders.”
“We need to first appreciate our governor, Engr Seyi Makinde for giving us the oppurtunity to have this kind of arrangement, he approved that Mogaji Adanla should be a consultant for this market, and we found out that Mogaji Adanla attributes goes beyond just financial consultancy.”
“So, we needed to engage him in some other aspects which the ministry has been working towards before, because our ministry has its own agenda here, which is Market development agenda, this one is just part of it, we are still going to see more of it, and I still want to appreciate our elders council, the Babaloja General, and Iyaloja General, and the Chairman of Gbagi market, you can see that all of them are excited for this new development that is happening here in this market today.”
“Our traders should start paying their taxes and dues as at when due, because if procedure are not in place, things might not be done properly, but with due registration and all the agendas we have now, things will be out in place properly, that’s why Mogaji Adanla is even there, is a revenue consultant, he will make sure there is no issues of double taxation but due taxes will be paid as at when due.” Ojo said.
In his remarks, Mogaji Adanla said, “Our Primary duty as a consultant in this market is to restore the lost glory of the market, as the Governor has rightly said that this is the legacy project, and during my speech minutes ago I said if any of my team believe that he or she is coming here to make money, that person should resign now, because this is not a matter of let me grab what I can grab in Gbagi market, this is about bringing the market to the international standard.”
“This market is called Bola Ige International market, a market without adequate facilities cannot be tag as international market, so what we are doing is to bring it back to international standard and that’s why we start with heath center.”
“This is not my first time of dealing with the state government and the governor Engr Seyi Makinde know what I’m capable of doing, so there is no doubt about delivering on my mandate here, so my message to the traders is to please corporate with the government, they should pay their rent and other dues as at when due.”
“Governor Makinde wanted us to transform and reposition the market not to make money” Mogaji Adanla said.
In her contributions, Mrs Felicia oluwatoyin, the Primary Health Center coordinator, in Egbeda Local Government said, “I’m so excited that this health facility is witnessing a big turn around today.” She urged all traders to make use of this facility.
She harped on the need by the government to recruit more health practitioners that will be attending to traders for medical services.
Alhaji Ganiyu Adetayo, chairman Gbagi Market appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for refurbishing the health center, he noted that this particular space was already sold by land grabbers but through Governor Makinde’s intervention the land was revoked.
The Babaloja General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekini Abass lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for appointing the right person as the consultant for the market, he noted that Mogaji Adanla is indeed a round leg in a round hole for the market.
The event was attended by directors from the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Commerce as well as Gbagi Market leaders.
