The Executive Chairman of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon. (Dr) Ahmed Olanrewaju Apatira, has unveiled five two-storeys buildings comprising 850 shops and 80 K-klamps to boost the IGR of the district.
The project christened Senator Oluremi Tinubu Ultramodern Market, was commissioned by the Senator representing Lagos Central at the Red chamber, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni on Friday along Apapa/Oshodi expressway, Lagos.
Also commissioned is the Itire-Ikate Customary Court with modern library and ICT Center which, according to the council chairman, would not only serve as a hub for legal proceedings but also champions education, culture, and technological advancements through its integrated library and ICT facilities.
Speaking during the project commissioning, Senator Eshinlokun-Sanni said, “It’s a thing of pleasure to be the Commissioner for this historic edifice. I congratulate my brother, Dr Apatira for being able to accomplish this in a short while. I am happy for the market men and women, I pray for fruitful and rewarding trading activities.”
In his speech, Hon. Apatira disclosed that the site was more like a dump site and hideout for miscreants until the project was conceived and executed.
He said, “About nine years ago when they wanted to build Akorede Market under the chairmanship of Hon. Adisa Bamgbala. Then I was the supervisor for Environment.
“With this market, Itire-Ikate arguably has the highest revenue among the 57 LCDA.
“It gives me great joy to welcome you to yet another commissioning of one of the landmark achievements of this administration.
“Today we are here to open the second phase of Akorede Ultramodern International Market. The edifice is just one of our administration’s several sustainable business and economic development infrastructure with the sole purpose of expanding our local and international business reach along Apapa/Oshodi expressway being a major international highway within Itire-Ikate LCDA.
“When we assumed office, this particular site was more like a dump site and hideout for miscreants, after a thorough feasibility study, I visited with my team for inspection and I made up my mind to turn the site to attract wealth for my people.
“In less than two years of our first term in office, we completed the first phase and rehabilitation of Adeshina Street being the major access road to the market and the International highways along Ijesha community border in Itire-Ikate LCDA.
“Today, we are commissioning the second phase and you all can testify to the aesthetic and economic impact that has been made from the first phase.
“This market is strategically located to serve as a floodgate for international traders from our neighbouring countries where local and international traders can meet to do business seamlessly without hindrance thereby bringing a lot of foreign exchange into our economy and at the same time attracting more revenue to the LCDA this boosting our internally generated revenue (IGR).
“I am happier today because the completion of this market ultimately means more small and medium scale enterprises will spring up and this implies that more idle hands will be gainfully engaged in lawful businesses which will promote the overall wellbeing of our community and reduce crime rate.
“It remains our cardinal agenda to turn Itire-Ikate LCDA to one of the major economic hubs in Lagos State, in line with the Greater Lagos agenda of the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“From here, we shall be moving straight to Itire community where we shall be commissioning the newly constructed customary court, the library and ICT Centers to the benefit of the good people of itire-ikate.
“I beseech the youth especially, to take possession of the facility as a gift brought with our little resources to create a greater future for themselves in this highly sophisticated digital age by protecting and preserving it, as users and watchers, so as not to put our collective effort to waste.”
. TheWitness
