Oyo State government has debunked allegations of replacing the car park at Bola Ige International Business Complex, popularly known as Gbagi Market, with new shops and extorting money from unsuspecting traders.
Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry in the state, Adeniyi Adebisi, who noted that the misleading report was published by a certain online blog and subsequently circulated on social media, maintained that the claim was entirely false, mischievous, and an intentional misrepresentation of an ongoing, well-planned redevelopment project.
He said the Gbagi Market redevelopment effort was being spearheaded in phases by the Oyo State government, under the supervision of the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, in close partnership with the market leadership and representatives of zonal traders’ associations.
Adebisi said the portion of land being referred to by the medium was not an official car park but an underutilised area, prone to illegal vending and security risks.
The commissioner said following broad consultation with stakeholders, it was approved for formal stall development to promote orderliness and improve access and safety within the market environment.
“Furthermore, no part of the main designated car park has been taken over or eliminated. The new shops are not situated in the core vehicle parking zone,” he said.
“Allocations were not made secretly or overnight, but through a transparent and documented process, coordinated by the leadership of the traders and relevant government departments.
“Standardised shop allocation fees were communicated in advance to interested traders with options to opt in or out—there is no evidence of “coerced” payments as wrongly alleged’, he added.
Adebisi reiterated that no trader will be unjustly displaced, assuring that the project will be executed in line with the masterplan agreed upon with all key market stakeholders.
He urged members of the public, particularly media outlets, to verify facts before spreading reports capable of inciting public unrest or misleading residents.
The commissioner also encouraged market leaders and traders to channel concerns or inquiries to the Market Support Desk at the Ministry or reach out directly to the designated liaison officers.
“The general public, particularly our esteemed market stakeholders, are urged to disregard this fabrication, which is clearly being sponsored by opposition elements and detractors determined to politicize every laudable initiative of the present administration,” he said.
Furthermore, the chairman of the zonal caretaker leaders’ Bola Ige International Business Complex, Gbagi Ibadan, Alhaji Adetonan Morufu who featured on a radio station programme in Ibadan on Wednesday, firmly debunked the allegations and clarified the facts behind the redevelopment effort.
