Chairman of Akure South Local Government in Ondo State Dr. Gbenga Fasua has put a lie to a raging rumour that the council’s newly built shop complex in Mojere Market Akure is only available to moneybags.
The chairman issued the clarification on Friday on the heels of insinuations that the 80-shop complex is being leased out at N25 million per stall for a period of 35 years.
Debunking the rumour the chairman said ‘Our administration has embarked on building modern structures in markets across the local government area and we have successfully achieved that in Mojere Market in the popular Ilesha Garage area.
‘The job was given to developers with an arrangement that they would let out a part of the building while the local council will let out the other part.
‘While it is understandable that the developers could hike the rent fees for the stalls alloted to them rest assured that my administration is there engaging them on your behalf to reduce their rent charges.
‘But as for the stalls being rented out by Akure South Local Government all can testify to it that they are up for rent at rock-bottom rates.’
Fasua who is also the chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria Chairmen in Ondo State noted that all the local councils in Ondo State operate a common template of providing amenities to ease the suffering of the masses and that the idea of building affordable market stalls and complexes was one of such.
‘We are all guided by the ‘OUR EASE’ Agenda of our masses-friendly governor Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa in embarking on physical projects that impact positively on our people and this idea of reconstructing hitherto rickety and dilapidated market structures is one of it’ the council boss explained.
He disclosed that the second phase of the Mojere Market’s modern complex was about to take off to accommodate the area’s teeming population of traders.
‘In the same vein a similar shop complex is due to take off at the popular NEPA market in Akure with determination to cover the other market squares in due course’ he assured.
Meanwhile the council chairman enthused that the popular Erekesan Market in Akure has now been restored after its developers had spent out their 20-year lease on hold thus signalling a new lease of life to the local traders.
His administration he said will review the rent regime in the market with a view to introducing affordable rents.
Dr. Fasua particularly thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for the free-hand and encouragement given to local administrations in the state on timely deliverance of dividends of democracy to the people.