Date Published: 05/09/11

Mimiko lifts commerce in Ondo, builds N150 million ultra modern market

Olusegun Mimiko

Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has challenged the State Direct Labour Agency handling the reconstruction of the N150million Moferere market in Ondo, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government to intensify efforts towards ensuring the completion of the market in record time. The market, when finished would be one of the biggest in the State. It sits on an expanse of land that it is about three times the size of Ikare Regional Market and three and a half times the size of Okitipupa Caring Heart Market earlier commissioned by Governor Mimiko this year.

The Governor, who threw the challenge at the weekend during an inspection tour of the first phase of the market, reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing conducive environment for the people of the state.

The Mimiko-led administration had in the last two years constructed ultra- modern neighbourhood markets in Akure, Ikare, Owo, Okitipupa, Iju/Ita-Ogbolu among others in order to avert the dangers of road-side trading and create conducive environment with necessary modern amenities for business transaction.

Dr Mimiko however appreciated the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo for mobilizing the market women on the need to support and cooperate with the Agency so that the project can be completed in time.

His words “We are here to inspect the progress of works at this market, the Moferere market in Ondo town. I have joy in my heart today and I have to thank Kabiyesi for being part of this inspection tour and for mobilizing the market women so that they can cooperate and support our officials and men working on this site.  By the special grace of God, this market will be completed very soon.”

“As you can see, our people are very happy, they are excited because they know that this government is a government that stands by its words. Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the team that is working on this site for the job well done. I want to appeal to you to put in more efforts and ensure that this project is completed on schedule”.

According to the Senior Special Assistant on Direct Labour, Mrs Mobolaji Tunde-Suara, who conducted the Governor, his wife, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko and other top officials of government round, the Moferere market had over 600 open stalls for local traders, administrative office, security posts and conveniences for the use of the traders.

She explained that 110 stalls had been allocated for goat sellers, 150 stalls for fowl sellers, yam section gets 100 stalls while sellers of used cloths and perishable items got about 250 stalls.

Mrs Suara noted that the traders were the original owners of the stalls before the demolition, adding that it has always been the decision of the present government in the state not to relocate any traders without providing better alternative avenues for business transactions.

“We discovered that the existing market has no boundary, no fence, it’s disorderly and there is no movement. And in the course of pursuing our Urban Renewal Programme which is Mr Governor’s focus, we have decided to put our feet down on the renewal of Moferere market, demolishing the existing market and reconstructing a new one.

“This market is so big that it is about three times the size of Ikare Market, three and a half times the size of Okitipupa Market, so we decided that we are going to embark on this project in phases. Now, we are in phase one of the market, in the phase one, we have a section for the goat sellers, we have about 120 people and we have made provision for 110 stalls for them.

“Also, we have a fowls section where we have provision of 150 stalls for the fowl sellers. And those people that are selling used cloth and perishable items, we have made provision for them” the DLA chief explained.