In the Aftermath of the Shasha market crisis, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has ordered the immediate reopening of the market, while the market annex around Iroko where the crisis broke out, would remain closed till further notice.
According to the governor, the decision to reopen is tied to the assurance and advise from the security agencies enforcing curfew in the market and the declining economic situation in the area.
The Shasha market reopening is coming barely two weeks after the market was shut down due to crisis between traders that led to the loss of lives and property in the Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.
The Iroko market has being fingered by the Shasha traders to have being established by suspected individuals who are fuelling the Shasha market crisis in order to create a competition for the Shasha market.
Makinde who earlier dropped the hint of the reopening also gave the directive during a meeting with the leaders of the two warring communities at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
“Considering the economic situation and the peculiarities we have with us, I have heard what you said, and we will immediately reopen the Shasha market. They will bring bulldozer to the market today.
“When my brother Governors visited Seriki Shasha’s palace, while we were walking around, I realised that both the people I saw at Seriki’s place and those I met at Baale’s place were not happy because they have been deprived of doing their job.
“Since peace more or less returned to the market and the community, we have given the go ahead that the market should be reopened. I have also given instructions for some palliative works to be done. I have instructed that solar light be installed in the market anytime of the day or night; we will see what is going on in the market.
“The situation in our environment, economic activities are really very germane and basic. We have people out there, what they will make today, is what will determine whether they will eat tomorrow or not. And when you shut the place down, and people get hungry and again angry, then you precipitate another set of issues. Closing the market for an extended period of time, is actually not sustainable.,” Makinde said.
The governor while ordering the closure of the Iroko market, instructed relevant agencies to immediately restructure the market and fix up solar light around the community to enhance activities around the market, adding that government would consider some of the affected traders for palliatives.
“The Iroko market will remain shut. From what we heard, the promoters of that market were actually part of the people causing confusion and causing problem at Shasha market. We will take a long-term view of Iroko market, but in the meantime, it remains shut”, Makinde added.
Earlier in their separate remarks, the Baale of Shasha, Akinade-Ajani and the Seriki of Shasha, Haruna Maiyasin, unanimously apologised on behalf of the traders and warring factions.
