Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has said that his Lagos state colleague, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode “appears positive” after considering the implication of relocating the popular Mile 12 market in Lagos, to Imota, in the outskirts of the state capital.
This followed a formal letter of appeal by the governor of Kano state on the matter, which was followed by a meeting between the two governors on Tuesday morning, in Lagos.
Governor Ganduje who made the disclosure while addressing the traders recalled that the decision to relocate the market was informed by a fracas last March, as a result of which the market was shut down for days.
“I discussed with my colleagues the Northern governors and I initiated a letter to the governor of Lagos state to reconsider the proposed relocation of the market. The letter was copied to all the Northern governors and the Lagos state governor appeared positive after seeing the implication of relocating the market”, governor Ganduje stated.
He appealed to the Lagos state government to reconsider its decision to relocate the Mile 12 market because of the economic and social repercussions of such action on the Hausa community’s do other traders in the market and indeed the entire people of Lagos state will be negatively affected thereby harming the overall economy of the state.
He noted that the Mile 12 market has similarity with Abubakar Rimi Market in Kano because both are populated by traders from all tribes in Nigeria, the governor urged the traders to continue to interact amicably in the interest of national progress.
While expressing optimism that the Lagos state government would allow the market to remain as it is, he assured the traders that it would also look into issues of insecurity and other problems with all seriousness.
He called on the traders to remain law abiding and continue with their legitimate businesses while shunning acts capable of breaching the peace.
Governor Ganduje was accompanied by the Speaker of the State House of Assemble, Hon. Kabiru Alasan Rurum, who was once the Secretary General of Mile 12 Market Traders Association and one-time councilor in Lagos state, the state Commissioner for Information, Comrade Muhammad Garba, a Yoruba Elder in Kano, Basorun Dr. Jimpat Ayelangbe and a the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter Community Relations (in charge of Southwest) Alh. AbdulFattah Bimbo Yusuf.
