Traders appeal to Sanwo-Olu to boost market infrastructure

By Bianca Iboma-Emefu

A clarion call has gone to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to urgently intervene in the decaying infrastructure at the Alaba International Market, Ojo.

The appeal came yesterday as the General Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (GEDA), Alaba section, inaugurated its newly elected executives, with Hon. David Nwunne taking the reins as chairman.

Speaking during the colourful handover ceremony, Nwunne vowed to usher in a new era of accountability, welfare and infrastructural renewal, promising to restore basic amenities and dignity to traders in the bustling electrical hub.

“Our market needs the government’s attention. The gutters are blocked, there are no public toilets, and the environment is unhygienic,” Nwunne declared. “We appeal to Governor Sanwo-Olu to help us rehabilitate this market and make it a model of commerce in Lagos.”

He announced that his administration would immediately embark on the construction of public toilets, drainage clearance, and installation of solar-powered streetlights, adding that his leadership would ensure every trader’s welfare is protected.

“We will not tolerate intimidation or harassment. Every member will enjoy equal rights and protection. Our goal is to make GEDA a transparent, peaceful and prosperous market community,” he said.

Nwunne, who won the October 4, 2025 election on what traders hailed as a “record of integrity,” promised that every kobo generated from market revenue would be “judiciously used and openly accounted for.”

With over three decades of business experience and a reputation for conflict resolution, Nwunne pledged closer collaboration with the Lagos State Government and local authorities to improve roads, boost infrastructure and attract investment into the market.

“Many of our members want to go into manufacturing, but government policies and poor infrastructure discourage them. With an enabling environment, Alaba can become a hub for local production and export,” he added.

He further revealed plans to organise business education seminars linking Nigerian traders to international opportunities, while ensuring strict compliance with laws and ethical business practices.

The outgoing Chairman, Hon. Pastor Peter Ubaezike, whose four-year tenure was marked by sweeping reforms, expressed pride in his administration’s achievements — from eradicating touts and clearing access roads to improving security and network infrastructure.

“Within the first three months, we restored order and safety. Today, Alaba is more accessible and secure than ever,” Ubaezike said.

He highlighted the installation of an MTN communication mast, improved security systems, and a new warehouse as some of the legacy projects of his tenure.

“No single case of theft or break-in was recorded in four years. That’s a testimony to effective leadership,” he added.

Ubaezike pledged full support to the new leadership, describing the handover as the “most peaceful and successful transition in GEDA’s history.”

Outgoing PRO, Mr. Anusi Harrison, who described himself as the “image maker and unifier” of the association, recalled the administration’s peace-building efforts and its successful negotiations with government agencies like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABCA) to avert demolition threats.

“Through dialogue and compliance, we saved our section from demolition. It was a tough journey, but unity prevailed,” he said.

As the event ended amid songs and celebration, traders and stakeholders hailed the peaceful transition, describing it as a fresh dawn for Alaba Market — one anchored on unity, transparency, and infrastructural rebirth.

However, a member of the Board of Trustees and former chairman, Chief Okenwa Chijoke, commended the peaceful transition but cautioned against politicising association leadership. He urged the new team to balance infrastructure development with human-capital investment.“People must be equipped with the right knowledge to operate lawfully. Infrastructure alone will not sustain growth,” he said.