by Omowumi Omotosho
Traders at Challenge Market in Ilorin staged a protest on Monday, decrying the Kwara State government’s controversial decision to erect a fence along a major road in the Post Office Challenge Area. The demonstration highlighted the traders’ grievances over restricted access to their shops, which they claim has crippled their businesses.
The protesting traders carried placards with inscriptions such as “We voted for you, don’t kill us,” “Challenge is a central market, give us more entrances,” and “Single entrance can’t contain us.” They also chanted “No Challenge, no Kwara,” emphasizing the market’s economic importance to the state.
The project, part of the urban renewal initiated by Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq’s administration last year has become a source of frustration for traders in the market as they complained drastic drop in sales.
Trader who spoke to National Pilot under anonymity lamented 50% drop in sales as customers could no longer access the market easily again.
The traders therefore urged the Kwara State government to address their concerns promptly, warning that the continued restriction could lead to further economic hardships for market stakeholders and the wider community.
