The Executive Chairman of Ona-Ara Local Government, Hon.Sanusi Musibau Adesina also known as ‘Shaba’ has assured the shop owners and traders at Sawia Market, Olorunsogo of his commitment towards the upgrading of the market to International Standard.
Hon. Sanusi stated this during an interactive meeting with the shop owners, Market Men and Women as well as other stakeholders of the Sawia Market, Olorunsogo. He reiterated that the rebranding and remodelling of the Market, which had been in a very deplorable and unsightly condition over the years,will go a long way in boosting economic and commercial activities in Ona Ara Local Government, in the greater interest and benefits of the populace, in the Local Government, in particular and Oyo State in general.
Hon. Shaba greatly bemoaned the fact that Ona Ara Local Government is most probably the only Council in Ibadanland without a modern Market Complex and stressed the need for a change of the existing narrative, in the same regard.
The Council Boss consequently implored the concerned Traders and Market Women to see themselves as partners in the development and progress of Ona Ara Local Government and seek proper guidance and information from appropriate Government quarters, shun unnecessary rumour peddling and misgivings with regards to sincere intentions of Government on the development and wellbeing of the citizenry.
Hon. Shaba noted that his administration is only following the footsteps of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde. He commended the giant strides recorded by the Governor Seyi Makinde Led Administration in the remodelling and upgrading of Akesan Market in Oyo Town, Sasa Market in Akinyele as well as the Akinyele Ultra Modern Farmers Market Complex in Akinyele Local Government, to International Standard. He prayed for greater success of His Excellency’s, administration in the state, describing Governor Seyi Makinde as the real Architect of Modern Oyo state.
Responding, the Babaloja of Ona Ara, Chief Olu Adenekan thanked the Chairman for this developmental project and pledged their unflinching support and cooperation before, during and after the completion of the project. He stated categorically that whatever happened before was largely occasioned by a misinterpretation and misconception of the sincere and genuine intentions of Government in the same respect, amplified by some enemies of progress of Ona Ara Local Government.
The duo of Alh. Kayode Adigun and Mr Mojeed Agate commended the Council Boss for the laudable initiative and urged other stakeholders to give their maximum cooperation towards ensuring early and successful completion of the project.
In his speech, the Head of Local Government Administration, Dr. Dapo Atoyebi enjoined all the concerned stakeholders to shun rancour and embrace dialogue with the authority of the Local Government in order to sustain the existing peace within the Local Government Area and it’s environ, noting that the reconstruction of Sawia Market is a legacy project. He further reassured the aggrieved that the Council will take all the necessary steps and measures which would be in their best interest.
The project being handled by AMGOV GLOBAL INTEGRATED LIMITED
consists of 482 locked up shops, ware house, fire station, Clinic, security posts , offices among other social amenities and is expected to be completed in the next six months.
Dignitaries at the interactive meeting include,: Majority Leader, Hon. Akibu Lanase, Hon. Mahruf Isiaq, Hon. Taiwo Ibrahim, Director of Administration & General Services, Mrs Adekunle M. O, and Director of Education and Social Services, Alhaja Akande Adenike, market men and women, Security Agents and others.
While making their contributions, Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Hon. Mufutau Ogunremi and a prominent PDP leader in the Local Government, Chief Waheed Adurodekun urged the concerned Traders and Market Women to cooperate with the Government and not allow themselves to be used as agents of destabilization in the same regard.
The concerned Traders and Market Women, in their responses, also saw reasons for the rebranding of the Market, which is long overdue, and assured the Local Government of their unflinching support and cooperation.
At the end of the meeting, stakeholders jointly agreed on Saturday, 16th December,2023, as the final date of vacating the premises of the Market Complex, in order to pave the way for the commencement of reconstruction works at the Site by the Developer.
E -Signed:
Kafayat Olagunju
Head of Information Unit
Ona Ara Local Government
9th December, 2023
