SOJI AJIBOLA, IBADAN
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has ordered immediate reopening of Shasha foodstuffs market in Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.
The market was shut down on the orders of the government following an inter-ethnic traders’ crisis that left in its trail the death of no fewer than four persons while property worth millions of naira was destroyed.
The crisis had drawn the attention of the people within and outside the country, including governors from the Northern part of the country, state and National Assemblies and opinion molders.
However, Governor Makinde during a meeting with the leaders of the warring groups at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat Building, Ibadan, on Tuesday, ordered the reopening of the market with a caveat that the present peaceful atmosphere must be sustained.
He said he took the decision to reopen the market due to the economic situation and the peculiarities associated with the state, he would reopen the market.
He said, “Considering the economic situation and the peculiarities we have with us, I have heard what you said, and we will immediately reopen the Shasa market. They will bring bulldozer to the market today.
“When my brother governors visited Seriki Shasa palace, while we were walking around, I realised that both the people I saw at Seriki’s place and those I met at Baale’s place were not happy because they have been deprived of doing their job.
“If you look at Oyo State, even when the COVID-19 was at its peak, I decided not to shut our market places because I know and also explained to the leadership of the country at the national level that in our state, we have people that the proceeds from what they get today will determine if they will eat tomorrow or not.”