Lagos terminates Bridgeway consultancy contract for Kantagua market development over non-performance

Lagos terminates Bridgeway consultancy contract for Kantagua market development over non-performance

…promises world-class ICT marketplace 

Lagos State Government says it has terminated its contract with the Kantagua market project consultant, Bridgeway Global Project Limited, due to non-performance.
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde, disclosed this during an inspection of the land area earmarked for the relocation of Ikeja Computer Village as part of the urban regeneration programme of the state government.
This is contained in a statement by Olusegun Olaoye of Public Affairs Unit at Lagos State Building Control Agency.
Babatunde expressed shock at the continued occupation and collection of fees by the consultants from traders and shop owners occupying the Kantagua market.
He said the contract was terminated over two years ago, adding that it was illegal for the consultant or his representatives to still collect any fee or money from anyone under any disguise on the development of the market.
He said the Urban Development Department in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development headed by Mrs. Bola Bello had taken over the management of the Kantangua project until further notice.
He restated the commitment of the state government to developing the ICT market into a world-class marketplace.
He also directed that anything having to do with project control must be in line with Lagos State Building Control Agency’s guidelines and regulations.
Speaking on the fate of subscribers who had paid to Bridgeway Global Project Limited for the allocation of shops in the market, Babatunde said, “All of you that have paid any money to the project consultant after his contract was terminated, I can assure that Bridgeway Global Project Limited will be made to refund all fees collected illegally to the subscribers after the conduct of proper identification and verification by the state government to determine the real occupants and how much they paid.
“From this moment, nobody should pay any kobo to them again as they no longer represent the state government on this project.
“Director from Urban Development, Mrs. Bola Bello, and her team will be the one to represent the state government on this market project till further notice and if you have anything to do on this market project, please liaise with her.”
He directed that eight workers of Bridgeway Global Project Limited found at the market gate collecting toll and fees be arrested and prosecuted in the court of law.
The General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, addressing the multitude of subscribers and sellers in the market warned against any environmental infringement as well as blocking of roads leading into the market.
He disclosed that some buildings and structures erected illegally in some parts of the market would give way for proper development of the market.
Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon Ogunkelu Sylvester, who led other members of the State House of Assembly on a fact-finding mission, said they were in the market on the directives of the Speaker.
He said it was in reaction to a petition by the leaders of the market association.
He said their findings would be submitted to the speaker for further action.