The Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Mr Babatunde Adepitan has answered the lingering question about the ownership of Aguiyi-Ironsi International Market at Ladipo Market in Mushin, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.
He spoke on the ground that some people are confused over the ownership of the market.
Adepitan explained that the land originally belonged to Lagos State government and was meant for the establishment of Mushin General Hospital.
He explained that the state government, observing that the environment as a market place, will not be conducive for the intended hospital, decided to change the original plan.
He said that Lagos State ceded the land to Mushin LGA to be used as a market after payment of certain amount.
Adepitan further explained that the council in private partnership arrangement, entered into an agreement and leased the land to a private company called Paramo Development Ventures Limited owned by the late Alhaji Hassan Olajoku.
“The lease will last for 25 years and since then the council left the development and management of the market to Paramo,” he explained.
P. M.NEWS gathered that the market came into existence in 2001 and was commissioned in 2005 by the former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Later, crisis erupted in the market and people, mostly traders became confused over the ownership of the market or who should take charge of the affairs in its management.
However, Alhaji Olajoku was assassinated and his son, Ajibade Hassan Olajoku took over the management of the company. Olajoku confirmed the council’s position and explained that his late father, through Paramo, embarked on the process of developing the market and to build it to international standard.
To achieve the dream, he said Paramo sub-leased shops to some traders in the already existing Ladipo Market on individual basis with conditions.
He explained that the conditions include payment of specific amount for allocation of space to build shop on lease basis that will last between 10 and 12 years. Also the allottees should be paying storage fees to Paramo who will pay to Mushin Local Government.
He regretted that since the market was commissioned, Paramo has not been able to collect the allocation money and the fees to pay to the council.
Adepitan confirmed that Paramo has not been able to pay the council millions of naira accruing to it as part of the agreement because they have not been able to enter the market because of the lingering crisis.
He hoped that the crisis will soon be over and the company will fulfil its obligations to the council. He, therefore, reiterated his earlier submission that the market belongs to Mushin LG who leased it Paramo pending the expiration of the lease agreement.
Olajoku commended the Mushin LGA and Lagos State government for trying to sanitise the market, adding that more needs to be done to get rid of thugs in the market for lasting peace there.
The Director of Operation, Paramo Development Ventures, Mr Nath Umezeokoli, while attesting to the position of Adepitan and Olajokun, explained that the agreement on the market was between Mushin LG and Paramo.
–Cyriacus Izuekwe
http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/12/21/mushin-lg-boss-clears-air-on-ownership-of-ladipo-market/
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