A chieftain of the main opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Arc (Dr.) Hassan Giwa has knocked the state government over demolition of about 400 shops at Alegongo Market, Akobo area of Ibadan.
Mr Giwa, in his reaction, described the move as an act of wickedness and a deliberate effort by the state government to destroy means of livelihood of several families in this trying time.
The HOG Foundation founder disclosed that the move is a misplaced priority by the state government especially now that Nigeria including Oyo State is facing serious economic challenges.
Mr Giwa, however advised the government to explore its energy on policies that will enable it to fulfill its electioneering promise of moving the people from poverty to prosperity, rather than policies that will wreck more havoc.
“There is no better way to describe the move by the state government to demolish people’s shops, people’s means of livelihood in this trying economic situation than to call it a misplaced priority. A responsible government will concentrate its energy on policies that will alleviate people’s suffering, instead of wrecking more havoc like it is done by the Oyo State government.
“The present administration promised to move the people of the state from poverty to prosperity during the electioneering campaign, if I may ask, how many households have been affected in the last five and half years? Instead, it is subjecting more people to poverty by demolishing their means of livelihood.
“It is instructive to note that the demolition is not limited to the Alegongo Akobo Market, Agodi-Araromi Spare Part Market was demolished in December last year and there is an intending motive to demolish Alesinloye International Market before the fire outbreaks. And this is the same government that was complaining when the immediate past administration embarked on demolition of illegal structures in Ibadan, so, what are we talking about?
“My advice to Governor Seyi Makinde is that, he should focus on how to compensate victims of Old Bodija Estate explosion, give palliative to victims of fire outbreaks at Agodi-Araromi Spare Part Market and Alesinloye International Market and others who fall victims owing to government’s urban renewal initiatives to restore their hope instead of implementing another policies that will add insult to injury of the people and residents of the state,” Arc Giwa said.
It will be recalled that the state government embarked on demolition of shops at Alegongo Market, where shops numbering 400 were affected.
