By Israel Areo
Traders at the bustling Challenge Market in Ilorin, Kwara State, have been thrown into chaos by the newly erected fence by the state government and they are lamenting that the fence is blocking access to their shops and crippling their businesses.
The fence, constructed by the Kwara State government as part of its urban renewal projects, has left many of the traders struggling to keep their businesses afloat.
The fence, meant to beautify the city, has become a thorn in the side of those who rely on the market for their livelihood. Shop owners are grappling with dwindling sales and the inability to reach their customers, who are now deterred by the restricted access.
A boutique owner Sunday Felix, expressed his dismay, saying the fence has drastically affected his business.
“Getting customers was already challenging. Now, with the fence blocking access, it’s almost impossible to make sales. Before, we could interact with people passing by, but now that is gone,” he lamented.
Another trader, Mr John lamented the lack of compensation or alternatives provided by the government. “We don’t have any ownership documents or Certificates of Occupancy to claim our rights. The government didn’t offer us a new place to move to. I’ve been in this market for five years—where do I start from now, given the current economic hardship in the country?,” he said.
Aribidesi Yusuf who specialise in the sales of flip-flop proposed a solution. He said: “Instead of building a fence, the government could use this opportunity to construct shops here and rent them out to us. This would not only help us but also boost the state’s internally generated revenue”
The traders’ concerns highlight the delicate balance between urban development and preserving livelihoods. Many are pleading with the Kwara State government to reconsider its approach, urging officials to provide alternative solutions that support both the traders and the state’s growth.
For now, the once-thriving Challenge Market stands at a crossroads, as traders face an uncertain future behind the barriers meant to beautify their city.
