By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Oyo State government has debunked allegations that it has replaced the car park at Bola Ige International Business Complex, popularly known as Gbagi Market, with new shops and extorted unsuspecting traders, overnight.
It said the “misleading report” was published by a certain online blog and subsequently circulated on social media.
State Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi, said the claim was “entirely false, mischievous, and an intentional misrepresentation of an ongoing, well-planned redevelopment project.”
He said the Gbagi Market redevelopment effort was being spearheaded in phases by the state government, under the supervision of the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, in close partnership with the market leadership and representatives of zonal traders’ associations.
Mr. Adebisi said the portion of land being referred to was not an official car park, but an under-utilised area, prone to illegal vending and security risks.
The Commissioner said following broad consultation with stakeholders, it was approved for formal stall development to promote orderliness and improve access and safety within the market environment.
“Furthermore, no part of the main designated car park has been taken over or eliminated. The new shops are not situated in the core vehicle parking zone.
“Allocations were not made secretly or overnight, but through a transparent and documented process, coordinated by the leadership of the traders and relevant government departments.
“Standardised shop allocation fees were communicated in advance to interested traders with options to opt in or out—there is no evidence of ‘coerced’ payments as wrongly alleged,” he said.
He reiterated that no trader would be unjustly displaced, and the project would be executed in line with the master plan agreed upon with all key market stakeholders.
Adebisi urged members of the public, particularly media outlets, to verify facts before spreading reports capable of inciting public unrest or misleading residents.
He also encouraged market leaders and traders to channel concerns or inquiries to the Market Support Desk at the Ministry or reach out directly to the designated liaison officers.
According to him, “the general public, particularly our esteemed market stakeholders, are urged to disregard this fabrication, which is clearly being sponsored by opposition elements and detractors determined to politicize every laudable initiative of the present administration.”
The Chairman of the zonal caretaker leaders, Bola Ige International Business Complex, Alhaji Adetonan Morufu, who featured on a radio station programme in Ibadan on Wednesday, July 30, also firmly debunked the allegations and clarified the facts behind the redevelopment effort.
