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•Seeks Lagos Govt’s intervention on roads
The leadership of Alaba International Market Electronics Section, Ojo, Lagos, has unveiled plans for the “New Face of Alaba”, a comprehensive transformation initiative aimed at repositioning the market for sustainable growth, innovation and global competitiveness.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the official unveiling, the President of Alaba International Market Amalgamated and President of Alaba International Market Electronics Section, High Chief Camilus Amajuoyi, said the initiative represents a renewed vision to transform the market into a modern commercial hub that meets international standards.
According to him, the transformation agenda is built on modern infrastructure, a cleaner business environment, improved security, efficient market administration, technology-driven trading, stronger collaboration with government and the private sector, and sustainable development that will attract both local and international investors.
Amajuoyi said the market leadership has embraced reforms designed to improve the ease of doing business and restore confidence in Alaba International Market as a world-class trading destination.
He described Alaba as one of Nigeria’s largest employers of labour, with more than 10,000 youths actively engaged in business activities, adding that it remains Africa’s largest international electronics market.
Paying tribute to the market’s pioneers, he noted that of the 13 founding fathers of Alaba International Market, only three are still alive, while the others have passed on after laying the foundation for what has become one of Africa’s foremost trading centres.
Amajuoyi disclosed that the market has undergone extensive remodelling with government approval and now wears a new look. However, he identified the deplorable condition of the access roads as the greatest obstacle to business operations.
According to him, heavy traffic, deep potholes and the frequent collapse of loaded containers on the roads have continued to destroy goods worth millions of naira and inflict huge losses on traders.
He appealed to the Lagos State Government to urgently rehabilitate the roads leading to the market, noting that traders have repeatedly used their own resources to make the roads passable.
“We have spent over ₦100 million filling potholes. More than 1,000 containers enter Alaba daily. The local government collects about ₦200,000 from every 40-foot container and ₦150,000 from every 20-foot container, yet the roads remain in terrible condition,” he said.
He urged the government to allow the market leadership to directly utilise the revenue generated from container levies to rehabilitate and maintain the roads in the interest of businesses and the economy.
Amajuoyi also said the market has responded to government’s call for greater accountability by transitioning from an unstructured system to a well-organised business environment.
“Every shop is captured in our database. Every transaction is receipted. If buyers have any complaints after purchasing goods, they can report to the secretariat for prompt resolution,” he said.
He added that Alaba has evolved from being primarily an import-dependent market to a manufacturing hub, producing indigenous electronic products that contribute to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to him, locally manufactured products in the market come with a two-year warranty, stressing that Alaba does not produce or sell counterfeit products because its manufacturers stand behind the quality of their goods.
Amajuoyi announced that the official unveiling of the New Face of Alaba will hold on August 6, while a Dinner and Awards Night is scheduled for August 7.
He said the unveiling is intended to demonstrate to the global business community that Alaba International Market is a reliable, organised and internationally competitive marketplace committed to global best practices.
The press conference also highlighted the market’s strategic roadmap for modernisation and called on government, investors, business leaders, stakeholders and the media to support the transformation initiative aimed at reinforcing Alaba International Market’s position as Africa’s leading electronics and commercial hub.
