By Dele Ogunyemi, Ibadan
Oyo State Government has issued 48 hours quit notice to plank sellers at the popular Temidire Planks Sellers Market in Ibadan to vacate.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Chief Isaac Ishola while issuing the 2-days eviction notice today in Ibadan stated that government is not interested in the land ownership but the welfare of its citizenry.
Ishola who was accompanied by the Special Adviser on Security Matter to the Governor, Mr. Segun Bolarinwa and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Gabriel Oguntola had earlier moved round the market to ascertain the compliance order.
The commissioner in a press statement made available to newsmen by the Media Officer in the ministry, Olusegun Adesoji, emphasized that “the activities of the traders in the market is inimical and a threat to the health of the residents.”
It added that “the Government will not allow any person or group of persons to jeopardize its effort in ensuring clean and aesthetic environment, free of flood”.
The Commissioner stated that “the market has no toilet, no drainages through which water can flow freely, noting that Oyo State has been predicted to be flooded by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet) this year.
He further noted that the residents have written several complaint letters calling on government to come to their aid, due to the dust and odour emanating from the sawdust and the smoke from the burning of sawdust”.
The Commissioner therefore “urged the traders to move to the government approved Plank Market that is suitable for their activities, adding that about 2 years ago property worth Billions of naira were destroyed at Sango Plank Market due to burning of sawdust”.
However, Mr. Waheed Azeez who responded on behalf of the traders, appealed for more time to move their wares, noting that 48 hours will not be enough to move their wares.
Azeez while promising to comply with all government decisions on behalf of his colleagues urged the government to provide more space for their operation.
The Commissioner who was accompanied by the Special Adviser on Security Matter to the Governor, Mr. Segun Bolarinwa and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Gabriel Oguntola moved round the market to ascertain the compliance of the people to the Government order.