FHA, Amuwo-Odofin Council contest control of Agboju market in FESTAC Town
Confusion capable of leading to total breakdown of law and order is now brewing in Agboju market, the only foodstuff market serving FESTAC Town in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
A group allegedly fronted or backed by the Council authorities seems to be attempting to displace the rightful allotee who had original papers of land allocation from the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), the statutory owners of FESTAC Town.
It was growing fracas on Monday as traders protested a controversial order seeking the total demolition of the age-long market due to issues bordering on land tussle on who really own the land on which the market is standing.
Though several traders who spoke to Business Hilights pointed accusing fingers on the current leadership of the Council, considering what they described as ordering the demolition of the market without any form of prior notice.
Whereas many of the traders agreed that “The dispute has been on for many years,” they confided on our correspondent that the ownership tussle had been between one Alhaji Taiwo Abatan and Mrs Osenat Adebayo, the iyaloja (market leader) of the market.
According to the affected traders, the truth is that Abatan seems to be the rightful owner of the land considering genuine papers of allocation he had from the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing, through the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), but there are strong indications that the Iyaloja enjoys the support of the Local government.
It is important to recall that FHA had been the owner and administrator of FESTAC Town since its inception till date and not the Local government.
Accordingly, followers of the case say by the nature of the matter on ground, it is a case between FHA and Council.
Already, a top official of FHA who flew in from Abuja at the heat of the crisis on Monday also made it clear that the allocation legitimately belongs to Abatan’s family by our records.
Besides, many traders say the overbearing influence of the Iyaloja is becoming excessive and said it is time to allow the real owner of the market, Abatan to assume control.
The major issue of concern is the weekly collection of N1,000 fee from every store and shop form one Mr. Adebayo who they said is a front for the Iyaloja.
However, as frayed nerves heightened, Police took over strategic spots of the market as traders continue to monitor happenstances pending when stable peace will be restored.
Checks at the Office of the Amuwo Odofin local government Chairman, Valentina Buraimoh, failed to yield results as protocols denied Business Hilights access to get the views of the chairman on the matter.
