The Chairman, Paramo International Trade Center Board, Femi Martins, has urged all stakeholders to shun all forms of bitterness and maintain peace in the market located in Ladipo, the Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Martins, while speaking during the engagement on Thursday, said the board was established by a bylaw enacted by the legislative arm of the LG, adding that the engagement with the stakeholders was done at the behest of the Executive Chairman, Mushin LG, Emmanuel Bamgboye.
Reeling out the objectives of the board, Martins said the board members were mandated to proffer solutions to existing disagreements, including the recent clash induced by a botched election in the market.
He said, “We are here today at the instance of Mushin Local Government ably led by the duly elected Executive Chairman, Emmanuel Bamgboye. On November 22, 2024, the legislative arm of local government enacted several bylaws.
“One of the laws enacted was the law to establish market boards in every market across the local government. Consequent to the enactment, the chairman inaugurated the board of Paramo International Trade Center, Ladipo, Mushin, Lagos, on November 25, 2024.
“Several briefs were given to the board. Most importantly, the chairman emphasised that the priorities of the board are the resolution of all existing feuds and ensuring peace and unity.
“This is our purpose here today, to kick start the process of enduring peace in the market. We, thereby, appeal to all here present to eschew bitterness while expressing their grievances with the intent to engender peace and tranquillity.”
One of the stakeholders in the market, Emmanuel Nbamara, while condemning election violence, said free and fair elections were paramount in the market.
Speaking on the history of the market, Fausat, the wife of the person the market was named after, Hassan Olajoku, said the market had a structure at inception, which included an advisory committee that administered and fostered peace in the market.
The meeting which involved stakeholders from the three major tribes was adjourned till Thursday, December 12, 2024, as the chairman of the board enjoined all parties to maintain peace, law and order in the market.