The president-general of Alaba International Amalgamated Council of Sections, High Chief Camilus Amajuoyi, has said that the biggest electronics market in Africa is now among the organised private sector businesses in Nigeria.
Amajuoyi stated this on the second anniversary of being the president of the International Market Association Electronics (IMAE).
He said that his vision is that Alaba International will become the business hub of Nigeria in particular and Africa in general before he leaves office as president.
He said, “We were sworn in on October 5, 2022, and two years later, we can look back with our shoulders high in the fulfilment of our electoral promises to the traders in the Alaba International market. First, our administration succeeded in driving away the touts and roadside traders, making it difficult for us to access the market. The act reduced the usual gridlock experienced in front of our market, attracting more customers.
“We reconstructed the International Market Association Electronics secretariat into a modern skyscraper, befitting for hosting government and international resource persons. In the last two years, we have rehabilitated failed road portions to ease the movement of goods and services, drilling six boreholes and repairing existing but not functioning ones.
Before now, we have been faced with the challenges of flooding and every year, we lose hundreds of millions to flooding, but we are now constructing a massive drainage with the approval of the Lagos State government, and at the moment, this project has gulped over N60 million.”
He also explained that the market had closed the gap in the strained relationship between them and the Lagos State government, which led to the demolition of some plazas and shops in the market. He added that members have helped to mediate with the Lagos State government to prevent further demolition of shops and plazas by the government or its agencies.
“Again, in line with our agreement with the Lagos State government to rebuild and restructure the Alaba International Market to conform to smart city and international standards, we have started implementing measures to give our market a facelift. The ‘New Face of Alaba is not just a mantra but a vision borne out of selfless service to humanity and infrastructural development. This administration has changed the narrative of our market, which has been portrayed as a haven for touts and illiterates, to a reference point of business management and entrepreneurship,” he said.
