Oyo reopens Shasha market, retains curfew

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has ordered the reopening of Shasha market in Ibadan, the state capital.

The governor had ordered that the market be shut and imposed a curfew after an ethnic clash that resulted in the loss of lives and property.

The decision to reopen the market was reached on Tuesday during a meeting with the two warring communities in Shasha. It was held at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The governor said the state government was considering palliative measures for some of the affected traders.

He said, “Considering the economic situation and the peculiarities we have with us, I have heard what you said, and we will immediately reopen the Shasha market. They will bring bulldozer to the market today.”

“When my brother governors visited Seriki Shasha palace, while we were working around, I realised that both the people I saw at Seriki’s place and those I met at Baale’s place were not happy because they have been deprived of their job.

“If you look at Oyo State, even when the COVID-19 was at its peak, I decided not to shut our market places because I know and also explained to the leadership of the country at the national level that in our state, we have people that the proceeds from what they get today will determine if they will eat tomorrow or not.

“Since peace has more or less returned to the market and the community, we have given the go-ahead that the market should be reopened.”

Makinde added, “I have also given instructions for some palliative work to be done. I have instructed that solar light be installed in the market so that any time of the day or night, we will see what is going on in the market.”

He directed that the market annex of Shasha, established in Iroko during the crisis be shut and that relevant agencies should immediately restructure the market.

“The Iroko market will remain shut. From what we heard, the promoters of that market were actually part of the people causing confusion and causing problems at Shasha market,” the governor said.