Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on Tuesday, warned against short changing market women in the allocation of markets being built by the state government across the state.
Speaking at the inauguration of Caring Heart Shopping Mall in Akure, which comprises� 244 shops and modern facilities, he warned those in charge of allocation of the shops to consider first the original occupiers of the shops in the market before it was reconstructed.
The governor said the project, like many other markets� redevelopment and reconstruction projects across the state,was envisioned to improve the state�s general business environment and by effect, the economic empowerment prospects of the traders.
Mimiko said government would continue to implement programmes and policies that would aid te development of economic activities in the state.
He, however, charged the traders to see themselves as good custodians of public facility saying �I urge you to guard against vandalism, misuse and uncleanliness.�
�You must also pay up your rent as at when due so that this market can be self-sustaining in terms of security, waste management and other associated services.�
He warned that government would not tolerate subletting of shops in the market, warning that government would revoke allocation of any person that turned himself to landlord in the market as allocationwould be done strictly for users.
Addressing the gathering, the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, on Tuesday, warned the state government against dabbling into appointment and installation of traditional titles in markets, saying such fell under the purview of the traditional ruler.
According to the traditional ruler, all markets, no matter how modern, were traditional markets and it was only the palace of the Deji that had the responsibilities of installing leadership in the market, including the Iyaloja General.
�It is only the Deji�s palace that can install Iyaloja in all Akure markets and not the government. I do not want the government to dabble into this area. I am warning now that nobody should bring any non-governmental organisation to cause trouble in Akure markets.
�Nobody can be installed Iyaloja except the Deji approves such appointment. Therefore nobody should disguise under any NGO to parade himself or herself as Iyaloja General or whatever name. Mrs Juliana Ogunsusi remained the Iyaloja
Source: Tribune
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