180 Traders Get Shops At Alaba Rago Market

Lagos State government has allocated 180 shops to the beneficiaries of the redeveloped transnational market, Alabo Rago in Ojo local government area.

Giving the provisional allocation letters to the beneficiaries, the special adviser to the Lagos State Governor on EGIS and Urban Renewal, Dr Olajide Babatunde, at the office of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA), said the former occupiers of the shops were given the right of first refusal over the shops.

He added that the state government is building about 3,000 shops for traders, who will be granted a concession to make an initial payment, with the balance to be paid over 6 months.

Babatunde said the state went into partnership with financial institutions to develop the market, adding that development of markets in the state is in line with the promises the state governor made to the people of the state and in accordance with Sanwo-Olu THEME agenda, “we are keeping all the promises, you know, which are part of the dividends of democracy.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu, under the THEME Plus agenda, we are developing 21 markets around Lagos, some of which are Alaba Rago, Katangua Market, Pelewura, Jankara, and a couple of other markets.

“You know what we are doing around the city. This particular one is the largest cattle market in West Africa. It’s called Alabarago, but we have transformed it into an Alaba transnational market.” He said.

Babatunde said the state government plans to build 3,000 market stalls in Alaba Rago.

He added that the state government has also constructed 1.2 kilometres of road to link the market with the main road.

Babatunde said shops on the ground floor cost N13 million each, while those on the upper floors cost N10 million each, explaining that the state government sells each shop at a subsidised price.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Chairman of Central Alaba Rago market, Alhaji Hussain Mohammed Lajawa, commended the state government for its initiative in developing the market to a standard market.

Lajawa said they began discussions with the state government on developing the market in 2022, adding that they are happy the state government has kept its promise.

Lajawa said that as of present, three blocks are completed.  “It is allocated today for 180 marketers in Alaba Rago.’’