TheCable

Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos state, on Tuesday said traders in the popular Mile 12 market will relocate to the new market site in the Imota area of Ikorodu in the next six months.

Speaking while inspecting the site proposed for the market, the governor said work would commence there within seven days.

He ordered the ministry of physical planning to meet up with the six months deadline, and urged residents of Imota to see the relocation as an avenue to boost trade and expand road network in the area.

Ambode said the market, which would sit on a 35- hectare expanse of land, would be provided with modern facilities for the convenience of traders.

In March, community leaders and traders in Mile 12 had agreed with a plan of the government to relocate the market to a more convenient location.

The government had announced the relocation plan after a communal clash in the area led to a two-week closure of the market.

At its reopening on March 17, the government said the market had outgrown its present location.

Meanwhile, Ambode has also promised an overhaul and upgrade of the Imota Rice Processing factory in Ikorodu to meet up with its optimal production capacity.

During an assessment tour of the rice mill, the governor said the facility would be up and running within the next six months, describing it as a major investment that should not be left to rot away.

He said the factory should begin optimal production of 10 metric tonnes per hour from its current production of 2.5 metric tonnes per hour.

Ambode said private investors would be needed to complement the government’s intervention with an additional 10,000 metric tonnes per hour.

He gave the state ministry of agriculture and cooperatives six months ultimatum to restructure the mill and also ensure that it is handled by experts.

According to him, this initiative will also assist the state in its recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Kebbi state government on the establishment of a commodity value chain.

“This is the only platform we can also use to allow the inflow of rice paddy from Kebbi state to be packaged in Lagos state,” he said.

“The intention is not even to partner with Kebbi alone, we are also interested in inviting other states that have the paddy because the consumers are majorly in Lagos state.”

He also said that the Agbowa Sawmill proposed for the relocation of the Okobaba sawmill in Ebute-Metta would be delivered by September.