By Ifeoma Ikem
The decision by the leadership and the entire people of Isheri-Olofin land in Egbe Idimu Local Council Development Area of Alimosho LGA, Lagos State to upgrade and modernise the Oja Oba market is a developmental step in the right direction that will sooner or later delight all stakeholders, even the critics of the progressive agenda and indeed, all his subjects.
His Royal Highness, Oba Wahab Balogun, chatting with our reporter, said this following the recent protest staged by the association of plank dealers of the market claim that they were ejected by the developers who followed a lawful process and issued an ultimatum which expired since August.
Oba Wahab, pointed out that the commiunity planned to modernise the market since 2016 before it become a reality when a developer approached the local and relevant authorities who gave them authorisation and the governmental cum legal nod to embark on the modern market project which will end the environmental pollution from wood dusts.
Condemning the protest, he stressed that he was shocked to find out that the traders who evacuated their wares or property peaceful after exhausting the days offered to them as ultimatum went ahead to stage protest and create unnecessary attention to misinform the public.
“This land the traders occupied is unlawful and it has been constituting nuisance by emitting quantum dust as pollution to embarrass the royal palace and its environs, making the area an eyesore.
“It is supposed to be a beautiful serene, the traders should be happy that the royal family and community have taken appropriate steps to develop the market for the good of all’’.
He calls for understanding and calm in the land, assuring that law abiding plank dealers have gotten another place provided for their business by the Isheri Olofin community.
“I am surprised the plank dealers raised an alarm over what followed due process.
“If I may ask, `why would they try to tarnish my image, for years this traders occupied this place without paying royalty to any legitimate community or government, why must they decide to stage a misleading protest, even when they know they were merely usurping the land ?
“Why should they shed crocodile tears after years of illicit occupation and exploitation of the local family and community?
“Why should they make efforts to truncate the development strides of the Isheri Olofin people?
He, however, urged the public to disregard the actions of the traders and their cohort which were targeted at sabotaging the process of actualising the age long development agenda of the great people of Isheri Olofin land, who are yearning for more modern structures and infrastructure in the community.