The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced plans to demolish the Jankara, Bombata, and Pelewura markets on Lagos Island.
Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure when he spoke yesterday while inspecting some drainage channels on the island.
Sanwo-Olu said, “We have come here on a drainage and regeneration call. The entire stretch of Idumagbo Avenue is always flooded during the rainy season because of human activities, especially from the markets around the area. They have built on the canals and so prevented the free flow of water, so we need to do a total rebuild.
“Hence, to allow for a proper regeneration of Lagos Island, Jankara and Bombata markets have to go; it will be ground zero. This thus serves as a notice that the markets will be cleaned to allow for our urban regeneration plans. The design for the new market is ready.”
The governor noted that adequate notice will be served to the occupants of the market.
“We will, however, give adequate notice to those in the Pelewura market because it has more traders, but this serves as the first notice,” he said.
The governor further added that “these markets have outgrown and outlived a market in a modern city, so they must give way for urban models.”