Traders appeal to Lagos govt on relocation order

Mr Haruna Usman,Secretary, Ram/Chicken Sellers Association at Breweries Bus Stop, has appealed to the Lagos State government to extend the deadline for relocation of its members till January 2012.The appeal was made as members of the state task force, accompanied by armed policemen, dislodged members of the association and inhabitants of the market recently.Usman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that this would enable them to conclude all outstanding transactions with their customers.He said that they needed time to inform all their numerous customers of the new site and to enable them to collect the backlog of debts from their customers.Usman said the traders got a new location at Ijora, adding that they were still processing their movement. He said that the traders declined to move to the abattoir at Agege, given to them by the government, because the location was not conspicuous. 'We are surprised that the government can evacuate us from this place after voting for them during elections.'He added that some traders were arrested by the task force officials while some livestock were taken away.Mr Bayo Sulaiman, Chairman, Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Offences Unit, said the traders were notified to relocate since July.Sulaiman said they agreed to relocate after Sallah celebrations but failed to comply with the agreement.He added that the relocation was due to on-going beautification of the state and the need for proper drainage.Officials of Environment and Special Offences (Enforcement Unit), have taken over the market.
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