By Charles Mgbolu

Despite intense efforts at curbing the exploding human population inside the nations biggest ICT market; the Otigba market popularly known as Computer Village by relevant law enforcement agencies in the state, traders at the market have, for the umpteenth time spilled out unto the roads and into neighboring communities behind the market, causing traffic jams while their activities make the living environment uncomfortable for residents there.

CyberLIFE investigations revealed that because of land and shop space which had long been exhausted in this market traders who migrated into the market from far and near to seek some form of livelihood for themselves have resorted to selling on any available space beyond the boundaries of the market.

Already in the past, there had been spontaneous raids by several state commissioned environmental agencies like the KAI Brigade and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency LASEPA who pick up traders selling outside the walls of the market.

The defaulting traders were usually descended on by agents who virtually materialised out of thin air, seizing their goods and herding them into their detention vans, while the lucky ones take to their heels; scampering away with their wares on their heads. The eventual seized goods were bailed only after heavy fines had been paid.
After several of these incidents, traders who hung about on the sidelines generally imbibed the lesson: no street trading. But business inside this market rages like harmattan fire so says successful business men here and soon these traders outside the walls had once again looked longingly on the market. Today, they have actually returned back to the market but not on the inside.

Their gradual re-encroachment being further fueled by the fact that tax force agencies that once were their nightmare now seem lethargic in discharging in their duties.

The Computer and Allied Product Dealers Association Of Nigeria, CAPDAN, however is not folding its hands over this matter as they fear this unpleasant scenario may bring down the wrath of the state government faster than expected, something which had occurred in the past.

According to an anonymous source who claimed to be a member of the union, these ugly developments have forced the union to meet several times to discuss the issue.

In the past, the Lagos State government had previously chosen locations for them along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway but the dealers and marketers had disagreed; stating that it is too far away from town. Another location had been still along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway near the popular second hand clothes market called Katangowa, but they did not like it. In the past, government had shut down the village for five days over tax and environmental issues.

However, prior to the re-opening of the village the Lagos State Government and CAPDAN, representing the Computer Village traders, eventually agreed to a phased relocation. Government has concluded plans on the relocation of the village, street traders are bracing up for the challenges they are going to face as a result of the relocation.

The Lagos State Government has decided to relocate all market from residential area, his effort is to sanitize the street of Lagos. These include removal or relocating of markets, which cause traffic jams in all part of the state, like Oshodi market which is now a sight to behold. — Charles Mgbolu