The Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Monday met with stakeholders of the auto spare parts market, Agodi Gate, Ibadan, which was razed on Saturday.
The meeting was held inside the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, and had in attendance leaders of the different segments of the market.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Makinde had earlier told the market leaders to join him at the meeting to enable the government and stakeholders to find common grounds on the problems of the market.
At the meeting, Governor Makinde told representatives of the market that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the immediate palliative measures the government could put in place to support the victims of the Saturday morning inferno.
He said: “Just like I said when I visited you yesterday (Sunday) to see the extent of the damage caused by the fire incident at the market, I wanted us to see first so that we can discuss the immediate palliatives we can provide to support our people out there.
“There is nothing the government can give you that can be compared to the properties and goods that have been lost to the inferno. However, we still have to try to assist you. What is important is, we do not want to witness an incident like that again in this state.”
The governor assured that his government would do everything possible to restructure the market, while also taking all decisions in the best interest of everybody.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting, the Babaloja of the market, Alhaji Waheed Azeez, appreciated the governor’s gesture of receiving them warmly.
Azeez also confirmed that the governor accepted the request put forward by the stakeholders on the plan to rebuild the market, and promised to send representatives to the market to help in the reconstruction efforts.
He said: “At the meeting, the governor accepted to give us all we requested for and he prayed for us as well. He equally promised that he would do the right thing for us.
“On the relocation of the market, he promised us he would not move us away but repair the market to the level we want.”
The meeting had in attendance the President of the market, Alhaji Morufu Olanrewaju; Baale, Alhaji Raimi Ewebiyi; Chairman, car division, Hakeem Adebayo; Secretary-General, Akinyele Kehinde; Chairman, tyre division, Rasheed Ayinde; Chairman, iron division, Muili Olola; and Chairman, lorry division, Taofeek Lobi.
