The Oyo State Government has promised to provide alternative shops for traders whose businesses were affected by the removal of illegal structures at the Bola-Ige International Business Complex (BIIBCO), New Gbagi, Ibadan.
The government gave the assurance during meetings with affected traders on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, following a fire outbreak at the complex on Thursday that affected eight shops.
The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Professor Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, said the government recognised the losses suffered by the traders and would consider genuine cases for alternative arrangements within the complex.
He directed affected traders to submit their valid allocation documents and other relevant records for verification, explaining that the exercise would help the ministry identify genuine claims and determine appropriate locations for those affected.
Adelabu also disclosed that the state government was exploring possible assistance for traders whose shops were damaged by the fire. He said Governor Seyi Makinde, the Deputy Governor and other relevant authorities had been briefed, while letters had been sent to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders to seek possible interventions.
The commissioner said the ministry was also engaging the relevant insurance company and had asked affected business owners to provide details of their businesses and inventories of lost goods for documentation and assessment.
He added that a panel of inquiry involving relevant stakeholders would be set up to investigate the latest fire outbreak and previous incidents at the complex. SEMA had also been invited to inspect the affected shops.
While addressing the traders, Adelabu said the fire incident had exposed safety and accessibility challenges caused by illegal structures, shop extensions and shanties obstructing access routes.
According to him, firefighters encountered difficulties reaching some of the affected shops, despite receiving a prompt alert. He warned that the government would not allow unauthorised structures that could put lives and businesses at risk.
The commissioner explained that the complex was developed based on an approved master plan dating back more than four decades, adding that structures erected on waterways, access roads and other spaces reserved for public use would have to be removed.
He stressed that the ongoing demolition was not targeted at any particular trader or group, including those featured in a video circulating on social media, but was part of a wider exercise to restore the complex’s original layout.
Adelabu also dismissed allegations of looting during the demolition, saying the ministry had records of the affected shops and their occupants.
He clarified that although the demolished shops were constructed by the developer engaged for the project, their locations and compliance with the approved master plan would still need to be assessed.
The commissioner further raised concerns about some shop owners renting their spaces to multiple traders without government approval, insisting that proper documentation and accountability were necessary.
He said proposals had been submitted to Governor Makinde for consideration, including the removal of illegal structures, the provision of fire extinguishers by traders and possible sanctions for those who fail to comply with safety requirements.
Under the proposals, traders operating solar-system shops would be required to provide fire extinguishers within seven days, while other occupants would have 21 days to comply. The commissioner emphasised that the proposals were subject to the governor’s approval.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Olajide Mamud Okesade, said the government understood the economic difficulties traders faced but could not allow unauthorised structures to obstruct movement or compromise safety.
He disclosed that the ministry was identifying suitable locations for traders who qualified for alternative arrangements, while clearing obstructed access routes.
Okesade also pointed to the ongoing clearance of the major road from Mukaila Adebayo Mosque towards the Inuike section, expressing optimism that the exercise would improve vehicular movement and create a more organised business environment.
Some affected traders appealed to the government for support, saying the demolition had disrupted their businesses and livelihoods. They expressed hope that the promised intervention would help them return to trading.
Earlier, Okesade had led ministry officials, complex management and market leaders on an inspection of the area affected by the fire, where he sympathised with the traders.
The Babaloja-General, Alhaji Abass Yekini Oladapo, said goods worth billions of naira were reportedly lost in the fire and appealed to the government to assist those affected. He also called for stronger measures to prevent further incidents.
Similarly, the Babaloja of the complex, Alhaji Adebayo, commended Governor Makinde and the ministry for their intervention and expressed support for efforts to remove illegal structures and improve the facility.
The state government said the measures were intended to protect lives and investments, improve access for emergency services and restore BIIBCO’s approved layout to create a safer and more organised environment for businesses.
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