Badagry LG gives developers 3 months to complete Agbalata market

Badagry Local Government of Lagos State has issued a three-month ultimatum to private developers handling the Agbalata International Market in the coastal town to complete the project or forfeit them to the council.

The Council Chairman, Mr Olusegun Onilude, issued the ultimatum in a White Paper on the redevelopment of the market released on Sunday in Badagry.

Onilude said that the White Paper followed the report of an Ad-hoc Committee which looked into the activities of the private developers on the redevelopment of the market.

According to the White Paper, “when any developer fails, refuses or neglects to resume work and complete the same within the window period, such projects, structure or space will be automatically forfeited to the council.

“The project may be reallocated to any other developer that may indicate interest in them.

“Also, where any developer’s project has been found to have any noticeable structural defect and it has been communicated to him, he has just one month to properly correct it.

“Failure to correct the identified error to the satisfaction and certification of the council engineer, he will be denied the right to execute any further work within the market.”

The chairman called on all the developers in the market to provide conveniences at strategic locations within the market not later than a month.

“A borehole, market clinic, creche and perimeter fencing which form part of the project specification should be put in place within the three months moratorium.

“Due to complaints by marketers, a good drainage system should be put in place within the market to arrest the perennial incidence of flooding.

“The open spaces within the developed parts of the market should be landscaped or sand filled.

“Developers are advised to maintain functional offices within the market from which they can be attending to complaints, issues or matters brought to them by shop owners,” the chairman said.

He warned traders against selling on walkways, road verges and prohibited spaces in the market.

“All canopies and extensions without the council’s permit should be removed with immediate effect.

“Shop owners are hereby advised to provide fire extinguishers for their shops and cleanliness should be maintained by them always.

“Henceforth, the closing time for the market stands at 6 p.m. in line with the Lagos State Government directives,” he said.

Onilude said that he had constituted an Implementation Committee headed by Mr Senoyan Akojenu to ensure all action plans were implemented. (NAN)