Former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, on Tuesday assured traders in Dosunmu Market on Lagos Island, whose shops and warehouses got burnt recently that he would do his best to impress on both the Federal Government and state government to assist them to get back on their businesses.
The market got burnt about a month ago due to the careless attitude of some traders putting fuel into a generator that was on which exploded and burnt about 20 houses and 120 shops.
Chief George gave the pledge during his visit to the affected area, saying that he would have visited the traders earlier, but could not do so because he travelled out of the country when the incident happened.
The PDP chieftain, who was accompanied by former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor- Akerele; former state chairman of the party, Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd.), among others, however, impressed it on the traders that the matter at hand was not a political issue, but about people’s welfare and how to get them back on their businesses.
Chief George commended the traders for being patient, and further assured that he would do everything possible to assist them to ensure that the Federal and state governments come to their assistance, expressing his concern on the matter as a Nigerian and as an indigene of Lagos Island.
He maintained that the first objective of government was to protect life and property, saying that it was essential that government should come to their aid.
“I want to tell you that I will take it upon myself to see that a solution is found to the challenges facing you. I will fight like a wounded lion to get assistance from the government for you.
“Those in government should do something about your plight. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is my brother, I will take it upon me and ask him to do something to help you. I will ask him what he wants to do to assist you.
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“I appreciate you for your patience. This is not a political issue but about welfare of the people. It is compulsory the state government must do something to assuage the loss.
“Though we don’t belong to the same party, but the issue on the ground goes beyond party affiliation. What we want is for the government to help the traders salvage their means of livelihood,” he said.
The traders, while speaking on their plight, complained that they had not received any assistance from either the Federal Government or the state government since the market and their whares got burnt.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, Oluwatoyin Dosunmu said they were told by the state government to bring their documents as, according to the government, it’s only people with documents that will be attended to.
She said the traders were yet to receive any assistance from the government, calling on Chief George to impress upon the Federal and state governments to come to their aid.
“We appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to come to our rescue,” she pleaded.
Another trader, Olalekan Ajanaku, said since they had no other means of livelihood, they resorted to making makeshift stalls to display their whare, alleging that and the state government had even threatened them to leave the place, or would evacuate them by force.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE