LASG, Mushin market leaders responsible for closure of market – Traders lament in a protest led by Human Rights Group
By Naomisophyblog
Human Rights Group AMPEF( Voice of the voiceless) with convener Comr. Saviour Iche led a peaceful protest at the popular Mushin market on 15th November 2023 following the temporary closure of Awolowo Ultra Modern Market Odi Olowo Ojuwoye, Ojuwoye Market Odi Olowo Mushin, Mushin Main Market, Daleko Market, Odo Ashimowu Market Mushin.
The intention behind this protest is to appeal to the conscience of Lagos state govt body in charge of environmental law & services (LAWMA) as well as demand the opening of the Mushin market within 24 hours for traders to commence business as usual. The market was closed on Sunday 11th November 2023 by Lawma on basis of violation of environmental law, traders affected by this closure says they have adhered strictly to Lawma’s law and sees no real reason for the market closure.
Traders who spoke with the press said the fines imposed by Lawma for the alleged contravene is extortion and a deliberate obstruction of trade for personal motives which has caused immeasurable losses for traders especially those who sells perishable goods like frozen foods, tomatoes, vegetables, skin hide (Pomo), smoked fish, meat and other foods…
AMPEF convener Comr. Saviour Iche who led the human rights group and the press to hear from traders as well as pass a message unto the Lagos state govt said traders are in awe of the closure situation as there was no pre-notice. He expressed displeasure over the fiscal damage Mushin market temporary closure had caused for traders, many sells perishable goods to survive as well as train their wards in school, says most of the goods sold are perishable goods, thereby incurring massive loss of money.
Iche said:
“Lawma alleged that the market sellers disobeyed the environmental laws but the people don’t have where to dump refuse in the market. Everywhere in Lagos is dirty for lack of good drainages and quick waste disposal dump site, using the traders as a bait to be punished for the inefficiency of Lagos state in creating proper facilities for littering is improper.
During the elections, Lagos state govt campaigned in these same so called dirty market but didn’t warn traders who supported them about closure for violating environmental laws. People can barely survive due to inflation, the state govt shouldn’t inflict more pain on the masses, some traders with little resources can scarcely feed well or pay school fees. Now that their means of livelihood is totally cut shut, how will they even survive? ”
Comrade Iche calls on lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu to open the market within 24hrs or the market will collectively take legal action against them as well as petition to pay all damages incurred in the loss of goods.
Interview with traders on the situation experienced in the Mushin market closure:
Nofisat Odulana said Lagos state govt is not fair in taking these decisions, says some traders don’t have husbands to support the family but saddled with the responsibilities of home front welfare to feed children and aged mothers as well as cater for school fees. Complained about how goods increases in prices on regular basis yet people manage to buy, asked the Lagos state govt the essence of voting them in.
Mrs Ayorinde says out of a 100 homes 75 are run financially by women especially traders, the locked up shops had affected means of survival amid hike in price of food commodities. She said food stuff market with perishable goods is bound to have rots and dirts a reason they observe environmental days and also pay Lawma for dirt packing. Explains that lack of good drainages on days when rain falls could spread around what traders have neatly packed for Lawma services, revealed that during the campaign the govt had promised to renovate mushin markets which is yet unfulfilled. Mentions that the closure of market has affected her badly, she is unable to feed her children, implores the govt to reopen market. Ayorinde said: We voted for Tinubu, he promised to make our living condition better we believed in his administration but he has left us disappointed.
Another seller said traders are passing through a lot, price of common food like rice, garri is high. Some have children in primary,secondary school and higher institution but cannot cater for them. The government has closed down our only means of survival, have mercy and reopen our shops, she said.
Mrs Edun a 60yr old trader expressed disappointment in the govt, says Mushin is where Tinubu got good votes, traders sacrificed their time and lives to vote for him, the gain of the masses who supported him after assuming office is suffering. Edun said shops have been closed amid hardship in Nigeria, she has 3 children to cater for and they barely eat, no aid from anyone because everyone is struggling with one bill or the other, the only survival for her is her trade.
Alaja Alimat a frozen food seller says In 1987, 30 kilos of Alaska fish was N240 and titus 25 kilos at N190 but presently, 30 kilos of Alaska is sold between N79,200 to N80,000. Says the suffering melted out on the masses is getting to an unbearable state. Lagos state govt has failed in their promises after voting them in power. Halimat said she is baffled at the rapid increase in every daily need of Netizens making things 10times harder than it was, supports the idea of the “Japa” syndrome by youths to sort for greener pastures owing to govts failure in keeping a stable economy. She revealed that many traders took loans from banks and other finance institution to do business and must not default in payment so as not to attract fines. How then will we meet up with payment when our perishable goods are in ruins? She said.
Mr Chijiofor, a trader says:
We pay LAWMA every month to pick dirt from the market. We were given a waste bin to dump dirt and we have been doing accordingly. We also pay market leader Iya Oloja a stipulated amount for extra cleaning of the market apart from the thursday exercise. We are baffled that our shops were locked for environmental issues, the govt is plunging more Netizens into poverty, does the government wants us dead? In my opinion the market is not overly dirty, the closure and fine is uncalled for.
Other traders who spoke with the press are: Ajoke, Damilola Sandra, Oluwaseun babatunde, begs state govt to reopen market in lament of money loss from perishable goods due to rot. Says Mushin youths who are thrown out of daily livelihood can result to stealing and other vices.
Some traders along the shop line in Isolo Mushin road also laments
Adebowale told Naomisophyblog that traders along the shop lines facing the street and not main market only found out on Monday morning about the closure without prior notice. Said efforts has been made by a committee to solicit for sellers in a meeting with lawma but to no avail. Adebowale said traders pays stipulated dues to mushin market committee yearly for sanitation and still observes the Thursdays exercise. Calling on the lagos government to open the Mushin market for traders to aid survival.
Akeem Owolarafe who has shops along Isolo road and agege motor park, expressed surprise as to why they were also affected by the closure, says traders can barely survive without selling while another trader Olamilekan revealed that a certain amount was paid to Lawma to stop the closure of the Mushin market having discovered Lawma recent actions carried out on popular markets in Lagos but still was affected.
Naomi Sophy Blog spoke with the PRO of Lawma Mrs Sade Kadiri about the situation of market closure and clarity on allegations by Mushin traders against LAWMA. She said paying a specific amount to iyaloja for cleaning has nothing to do with LAWMA laws when environmental order is flouted.
LAWMA photograph and evidences of environmental infractions is enough to prove that the traders are guilty as charged.
Sade stated that paying dues does not mean the market can be kept dirty until Lawma comes to pack dirt, there are steps the market sellers should take in order to ensure proper sanitation aside dumping refuse. She said, “Market sellers are supposed to have a bin tipper or employ one and not just dump refuse on the floor and there are evidences to this”, People buy edibles from this places for consumption, LAWMA do not derive pleasure in creating a pause on people’s livelihood, actions must be taken to checkmate dirt leading to ill health.
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Sade further said:
“Several meetings have been held by Lawma with market leaders to curb the excesses of environmental pollution by waste. The meeting was also aimed at sensitizing the leaders in care of various markets to go back to their jurisdiction and exercise this laws, get waste bin. Whenever ministry of environment enact closure, traders will feign ignorance as to this binding laws. It should be noted that Lagos state do not take delight in shutting down markets.”
