Lagos Re-opens Popular Mile 12 Market

BEVERLY HILLS, March 17, (THEWILL) – The Lagos state government, led by Akinwunmi Ambode, has ordered the re-opening of the popular Mile 12 Market in the state which it shut on March 3, following an unrest within the communities around the market resulting in injury and alleged loss of life to an unspecified number of people.

This was disclosed by Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Information, who revealed that the Governor ordered the re-opening of the market on Thursday after series of consultation with stakeholders.

“Governor Akinwunmi Ambode this morning has ordered the re-opening of Mile 12 market after stakeholders assured him of peace and order,” Ayorinde declared.

“Realizing the strong need to move the popular Mile 12 Market from its present location, community leaders and traders in the area have agreed with the plan of the state government to relocate the market to another suitable and more convenient location within the state,” the statement read.

“The leaders and traders also consented to the ban on use of commercial motorcycle popularly called Okada as a means of commercial transportation in the area.

“The community leaders said the decision became imperative owing to the fact that the Mile 12 Market, which had been in existence for decades, has outgrown its present location and available infrastructure, hence the need to reason with government.”

The briefing was attended by community leaders, Mile 12 market leaders, and government officials led by Tunji Bello, secretary to the state government.

It is however unclear if the new order also suspends the restriction of movement which was ordered by the Governor in four streets around the crises area namely Oniyanrin, Maidan, Agiliti 1 and 2.

Story by David Oputah