• Safety audit report yet to be released, says govt
It was another day of dashed hope, yesterday, for traders and customers at Ladipo International Auto spareparts market, Mushin, Lagos, as the market, shut last week by the state government, was yet to be reopened.

The market was billed to be reopened last Monday alongside others shut but was halted over non-compliance with some environmental conditions.

However, most traders and market leaders, who spoke with The Guardian, said they have lost a lot of money since the market was shut.

Others lamented that they have not been able to pay their children’s school fees since the market was shut, and could not transact any business.

Also, President General of the market, Jude Nwankwo and Baba Oja, Monday Lawrence Obijiogu, have pleaded with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, and Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, to temper justice with mercy and open Ladipo market.

The market leaders said they have suffered a lot because of their inability to trade.

They admitted that the closure of the market was neither political, or  victimisation, but for their well being.

The leaders said they have met sanitation and safety requirements, and signed an undertaking to ensure that the market is clean at all times.

Obijiogu, on his part, noted that Ladipo is the biggest International auto market, and its continued closure is affecting vehicle owners within and outside the state.

The President General said they have set up a committee to oversee the cleaning of the market, and assured that all hands will be on deck to ensure that this is done at all times.

He said: “We are pleading with the government to come to our rescue and open the market because we have really suffered. We are family men and it has been hard to feed our families since the closure.

Responding, a government source said the result of the safety audit is still being expected.

The source said the market will be opened after the result is released.

MEANWHILE, traders at the popular Igbeyinadun Alamutu Ologede Idi-Oro International Markets and Irepodun plank market, Mushin, have commended Lagos State government for reopening the shut markets.

The markets were locked for over seven days before it was reopened by the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Wahab Tokunbo and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director/CEO of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, after meeting sanitation requirements.

Babaloja and Iyaloja of Igbeyinadun Alamutu Ologede Idi-Oro International Market, Ademola Agbajelola and Mrs. Jemilat Asagadet and Chairman of Irepodun plank market, Wahab Ishola, who spoke on behalf of the traders, said reopening of the markets has taken away their initial shocks, as the markets were the only source of their livelihood.

Chairman of Irepodun plank market, Ishola promised that cleanliness will continue to be of utmost priority for them.

The traders also lamented their inability to sell for the past seven days, especially at the Alamutu Ologede market where most goods offloaded during the day the market was closed turned to waste.