Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has ordered the reopening of the Mile 12 Market, which was closed about two weeks ago.
It would be recalled that 14 days ago, the governor directed the closure of the market due to a violence that broke out in the area.
Several persons were killed during a riot that happened between Hausa and Yoruba residents of communities near the market.
In a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, the governor stated that he decided to reopen the market after a satisfactory meeting and agreement with all the stakeholders involved in the operation of the Mile 12 Market.
Ayorinde explained that as way of bringing sanity into the market, the government and the market leaders agreed to stop street trading around the market.
He disclosed that parties agreed that henceforth, all activities relating to the market shall be confined within the market area and also carried out in a clean and hygienic environment.
He said it was also agreed that the market would be relocated to “another suitable location as the existing market can no longer contain the traders.”
Also, there is now a “ban on the use of Commercial Motorcycles (Okada Riders) in the area”, while there would henceforth be “peaceful co-existence amongst all ethnic groups in the Market and environs.”
“All shanties and illegal attachments/structures within the Market area” would be removed, the statement said.
Mile 12 Market is very popular for the sales of food stuffs.
