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Chief Paul Oscar Odogwu is the President Balogun Business Association. Trade Fair Complex, Lagos. Recently, he spoke to the media on his efforts to reposition the market as leading trading hubs in Nigeria . Excerpts
In the area of restoration of peace in the market, would you say that has been attained?
Actually, it is work in progress. There is no way you would say it is absolute sanity. We are traders, so we have done virtually 80-70 per cent, which I believe is a pass mark, and we are engaging, which is normal in every society.
How have you handled issues of sanitation in the complex?
Issue of sanitation is of top notch. If you go round the complex, you would testify that everywhere is clean. Then, if you go to our dumping site, you won’t see any waste. We ensure that LAWMA evacuate waste twice on a daily basis. In the morning and the evening. Inside the complex, we generate tons of refuse. Hence, we made it mandatory that every blessed day, the refuse must be evacuated.
We are also working on the drainage. you know this is rainy season, and we are cleaning the waterways so as to prevent flooding in the complex.
We are also working virtually every Sunday in order to clear the drainages.
When I stepped into this complex, I noticed that there was light in the shops. Can you tell us the secret behind this development?
When we took over the mantle of leadership in this market, there was no light in the complex.
For the past six years, there has been no electricity because our predecessors owe backlogs of debts.
Because of that, every shop resorted to the use of generators.
When we came in, I said no, that we must restore electricity.
We have to liaise with EKEDC and pay the outstanding debt to the tune of 16.6 million Naira. We also initiated a plan where we were upgraded to band B. Under this arrangement, we enjoy steady electricity.
It is also saving them money because if you calculate what it would cost you to fuel and maintain generator in a week, definitely one will appreciate the steady power in the market.
With the fire incident in Afriland tower and Mandilas in Lagos Islands, how are you handling issues about safety in the market?
Now, we let our people know that whosoever is using Solar inverter must install it outside the shops because definitely it is one of the triggers of fire.
We found out that most of the batteries burst either due to a lack of ventilation or substandard batteries. The last fire incident that happened at Bauchi Plaza was traced to faulty inverter batteries.
How are the clusters organised for easy administration?
The cluster arrangement works this way. In every cluster, we have 9-man executives. Out of this executive, we have the chairman, secretary, and the financial Secretary.3 of them fall under what we call the cluster executive forum. Monthly, we meet with this cluster executive and pass out information to members in the market.
I noticed that cars were neatly parked without any traffic obstruction. How are you able to achieve this?
Looking good is good bussiness. Our predecessors mark out the parks for sale. Upon our assumption of office, we restored the parking space to its original purpose.
Since people are manning it for security purposes to safeguard vehicles from vandalisation, we charge 300 Naira per vehicle. the fund is used to maintain the park as well as pay the security men at the park.
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What about the beautification of the complex ?
From the main entrance, you will see that we have rebranded.
At the main gate, you can see the edifice. That was done through corporate social responsibility.
I approached one of our members, and he agreed to facilitate it because God has really blessed him here.
This gentleman, Blue World cosmetics, sponsored the painting of the main gate. The project cost close to 22 million Naira. And we allow him to advertise his product there.
The general complaints here are network challenges from service providers. Customers are unable to make or receive calls here? how can this problem be solved?
The issue is being addressed. one of the service providers is already installing optic fibres. once this is done and mast erected, network issues would become things of the past.
What about the security and lighting of the complex
There is drastic improvement in the area of security. we have installed Solar powered street lights, and this has enhanced surveillance in the market.
We also encourage clusters to install solar lights in their area. We have gone ahead to seek collaboration with the DPO , Area Commander Area E FESTAC.
We are also dismantling cartels behind the breaking of stalls, and whoever is apprehended is prosecuted in court of law. Shop owners are also encouraged to install jamlocked keys. Night guard security is active, ensuring a safe market at night.
The traffic committee head is also liasing with cart pushers to ensure that customer goods are safe.
Can you please address issues of the Cluster election and Secretariat re Roofing
We came in on November 22, 2023, and there was no organ of the government in the clusters. So, we conducted an election. within days, we organised election and winners emerged. Everything is going on smoothly. Then, on the issues of renovation of our secretariat, this was done through CSR by one of our members and the distributor of fair and white cream. He undertook the project without charging penny.
We are appealing to our members to emulate this fine gesture of giving back to BBA.
What about the procurement of a fire truck for the complex
Since we took over, there have been 3 cases of fire incidents in the market. this prompted us to order a brand new Howo Fire truck from China. in a matter of weeks, we shall take the delivery. This would also boost the safety of people’s investment in the complex. We bought it together with waste compactor to complement LAWMA efforts at the market.
Tell us about the idea behind cart branding
The cart branding would strengthen security in the market because now, we actually have some challenges. with the boys because what they do is that they will push someone’s good and he turn arround to make calls and their goods are carved away. We said know we have to put a stop to the menace.
Now, we are negotiating with a company to help us brand the trucks with their products and numbers. the accredited truck pushers would also be provided with branded vests. this measure would help us to check rogue cart pushers.
Tell us about the clinic in the complex and renovation of toilets.
While designing this complex, provision was made for toilets and bath facilities… years of mismanagement left the restrooms in bad shapes .
Way back in Enugu Plaza, we were able to maintain our rest rooms. this was later copied by other clusters. since we assume office, we have renovated all the toilets in the complex to promote hygiene. Related to this is the construction of the clinic in the complex.
When we came in, there was no clinic. To God be the glory today, we have a functional clinic that is taking care of the health needs of traders in the market
