Alhaji Sikiru Gbolagade Olayiwola, the President of Labaowo international market, Ibadan has lamented that the removal of fuel subsidy, high cost of goods has paralyzed economic activities in the major markets across the state while urging the government to address the dwindling economic fortunes in the country.
He further stated that the present economic condition in the country is biting hard on traders and crumbling business outlets in the state.
Alhaji Olayiwola stated this during an interaction with select journalists on Tuesday in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State.
Speaking further on the method the government adopted in rolling out palliatives to residents of the state, he said, “I don’t think the method adopted by the state government in distributing palliatives is the best. It is full of deficiency and from the information I have, thugs are the one hijacking the palliatives. Markets traders in Labaowo, Gbagi, Feleye, Agbeni and environs are yet to receive any palliatives measures.
“We only heard that they are distributing it somewhere and how do you expect traders in the market to leave their businesses and be struggling with street urchins just because of palliatives? I think the government can do better by involving the trade unions and leaders of market to reach out to traders in the market.
He added, “Traders are having tough time at the moment, prices of goods have gone up since the removal of fuel subsidy and the rising cost of dollar in the market. Many traders who got loans to finance their trade are finding it hard to pay back because of inflation and accrued interest rate on the loan, which is about 30%.
Alhaji Sikiru Olayiwola, further stated that politicians in the state are only after their votes while recounting the ordeal and sacrifices members of the market community went through during the general election.
“It is we the traders that are voting, how many civil servants do vote on the day of election? Many of them do sleep in their houses to watch films. We mobilized ourselves and left our various homes as early as possible on that day just because we wanted to vote. Ever since, we have not benefited anything.
“We have not benefited much from the ongoing administration in the state. When there is massive rainfall, traders are always jittery because the carnal and drainage system linking the market is blocked. Most time, we always mobilize ourselves to mop up the dirt gushing out from the carnal whenever it rains. The government promises to rehabilitate the roads linking the market but up until this moment, it has not been done. They only promise to do it”.
The President of Labaowo market, however, suggested that the government needs to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country and provide support to small-scale enterprises adding that the distribution of rice and grain to citizens cannot solve the situation at hand.