The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde has restated the commitment of the Lagos State Government to develop Kantagua ICT market to world class marketplace.
The Special Adviser disclosed this during an inspection of the vast land area earmarked for the relocation of Ikeja computer village in the urban regeneration programme of the state government.
Dr. Babatunde who was taken aback by the continued occupation and collection of illegal fees amounting to millions of naira from traders and shop owners currently occupying the Kantagowa market disclosed that contract with the market project consultant, Bridgeway Global Project Limited has since been terminated over two years ago due to non-performance of the contractor on the agreement reached with him and it is therefore illegal for him or his representatives to collect any fees or money from anyone in any disguise on the development of the market after termination of his contract.
He disclosed that the Urban Development Department in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development headed by Mrs. Bola Bello has taken over the management of the Kantangua project till further notice. He also directed that anything that has to do with project control has to be in line with Lagos State Building Control Agency’s guidelines and regulations.
Speaking on the fate of subscribers who had paid to Bridgeway Global Project Limited for the allocation of shops in the market, Dr. Babatunde said “All of you that has paid any money to the project consultant after his contract was terminated, I can assure that Bridgeway Global Project Limited will be made to refund all fees collected illegally to the subscribers after the conduct of proper identification and verification by the State government to determine the real occupants and how much they paid.
“From this moment, nobody should pay any kobo to them again as they no longer represent the state government on this project. Director from Urban Development, Mrs. Bola Bello and her team will be the one to represent the State Government on this market project till further notice and if you have anything to do on this market project, please liaise with her”.
He directed that eight staff of Bridgeway Global Project Limited found in the market gate collecting tolls and fees be arrested and prosecuted in the court of law.
The General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, Arc. Gbolahan Oki addressing the multitude of subscribers and sellers in the market warned against any environmental infringement as well as blocking of roads leading into the market. He warned that nobody should pay any money to anybody for now till further notice when things are put in the right perspective. He disclosed that some buildings and structures erected illegally in some parts of the market will give way for proper development of the market.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon Ogunkelu Sylvester who lead other members of the State House of Assembly on a fact finding mission said they are in the market on the directives of the Speaker over a petition written by the Leaders of the Market Association. He noted that their findings will be delivered to the Speaker for further action.
