Odulate assures traders of replacement shops, says no genuine trader will be left stranded
The Sagamu Local Government Council in Ogun State has commenced preparations for the transformation of Awolowo Market, with the construction of modern shops and open stalls expected to give the market a new look and improve trading conditions for residents.
The Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Ogbeni Jubril Odulate, disclosed this while inspecting locations earmarked for the construction of the facilities alongside his entourage and engineers handling the project.
According to Odulate, the intervention is being facilitated by Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan YAYI, Senator representing Ogun West and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Ogun State in the 2027 election.
The council chairman expressed appreciation for the intervention, noting that the inclusion of Sagamu Local Government in the project would provide significant benefits to traders and residents of the area.
During the inspection, Odulate also met with traders at the market to explain the scope of the proposed development, particularly the areas that would be affected by the construction work and the arrangements being made to minimise disruption to their businesses.
He assured the traders that the modern shops being constructed would not be sold, stressing that the objective was to improve the market while protecting the interests of existing traders.
Odulate explained that some existing shops would have to be demolished to create space for the new structures. However, he assured affected traders that they would be allocated new shops upon completion of the project.
CHAIRMAN BEGINS SHOP-BY-SHOP DOCUMENTATION
In what he described as an effort to promote fairness and transparency, the council chairman said he had personally taken responsibility for documenting the traders whose shops would be affected by the construction.
He said he was going from shop to shop to collect the names and relevant details of affected traders in order to prevent mistakes, omissions or the possibility of genuine traders being left out of the redevelopment arrangements.
According to him, the exercise would provide a reliable record of beneficiaries and ensure that those whose shops are demolished for the project can be properly identified when the new shops are completed.
OPEN STALLS TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY RELIEF
Odulate disclosed that the construction project is expected to last approximately three months, with the current Papa/Ilaro Park designated for the construction of open stalls as the first phase of the intervention.
He explained that traders whose existing shops are affected by the redevelopment would be able to use the temporary open stalls while construction of the modern shops continues.
The arrangement, he said, was designed to ensure that traders would not be left without a place to conduct their businesses during the construction period.
‘AWOLOWO MARKET IS OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A NEW LOOK’
While acknowledging that the redevelopment could cause temporary inconvenience, the council chairman appealed to traders to cooperate with the authorities and support the project.
Odulate said the age and condition of Awolowo Market made its redevelopment necessary, expressing optimism that the completed project would provide a more organised and attractive environment for traders and customers.
“Awolowo Market is old enough to have a new look,” Odulate said, stressing that the goal was to create a better, more organised and more befitting market environment.
He assured the traders that their interests would remain a priority throughout the construction process and urged them to cooperate with the engineers and relevant authorities to ensure that the project was completed successfully.
The council chairman also reiterated his appreciation to Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan YAYI for facilitating the intervention and considering Sagamu Local Government for the market development project.
The proposed redevelopment is expected to introduce modern trading facilities while providing temporary accommodation for affected traders during the construction period.
If successfully implemented, the project would mark a significant physical transformation of Awolowo Market and is expected to improve the overall trading environment for both merchants and customers in Sagamu.
