Lauretta Fagbohun, Ogun

The Ogun State Government has inaugurated a 10-man Committee towards reviving the Yewa International Market, which was a subject of dispute between Owode-Yewa and Ajilete communities in Yewa South Local Government Area of the State.

It would be recalled that on February 10, 2022, the government held a meeting with relevant stakeholders on the resolution of the crisis and resuscitation of the market where the stakeholders through a communique called for the setting-up of a committee to resuscitate the market.

Commissioner for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe who spoke during the inauguration ceremony at the Ministry's Conference Hall in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, appreciated the members for accepting to serve in the Committee, calling on them to come up with useful suggestions that would help the condition of the market.

Longe charged the Committee to liaise with the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Olugbenle, the Olu of Owode-Yewa, Oba (Revd.) Matthew Akindele and the Alale of Ajilete, Oba Kazeem Balogun, as well as other stakeholders on what could be done to reactivate the facility.

She assured that the present administration was determined to implement recommendations that would help the market, noting that based on the resolution of stakeholders the market would now be known as Yewa International Market Ajilete/Owode-Yewa.

The Commissioner urged them to identify ways of attracting more traders to the market to help optimise its potential, saying “the government cannot allow a market with 750 lock-up shops, 480 open stalls, 16 cold rooms, one police post, one fire station, 40 suites for car dealers, 520 car lots and one custom post with capacity to attract 20,000 sellers and buyers on a daily basis to be under-utilised".

" In this Ministry, we are willing and open to co-operating with the Committee to make sure that we achieve the resuscitation of the market. You are to give us timelines on what can be done to help the market and we hope we can invite the Governor to come and inaugurate the revitalised market", the Commissioner said.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola lauded Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Olugbenle for spearheading the move to revive the market, calling on members of the Committee to work hard towards actualising their objectives.

In her response, Chairman of the Committee and Iyaloja-General of Ogun State, Chief (Mrs.) Yemisi Abass appreciated the government for the opportunity given to the Committee members to contribute to the revival and growth of the market, assuring that members would deliver in record time.

Other members of the Committee include, the Secretary who is also the Director of Commerce in the Ministry, Mr. Lere Ariyibi-Opaleye, Hon. Sanusi Idowu, Hon. Adebayo Ajasa, and Mr. Shamsideen Akinwunmi among others.