Terminates contract with agent, pledges transparency, traders’ protection

Lagos State government has arrested eight agents of Messrs Bridgeways Global Projects Limited, for alleged fraudulent collection of money from traders of Katangua Market in Abule-Egba area of the state.

The suspects were arrested during a scheduled visit to the market led by the Special Adviser to the governor on electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS) and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde and General Manager  of the State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki.

They were seen collecting money on site on behalf of Bridgeways Global Projects Limited, whose contractual agreement with the state government was said to have been terminated two years ago.

The site is expected to be an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) International Market where the Computer Village in Ikeja will move to. The state has promised that the hub will require a comprehensive development that has modern infrastructures like hotels, residential accommodation to ease transportation needs, as it is going to be a major economic hub that will attract people from all over Nigeria and some African countries.

Speaking during the visit, Dr Babatunde, said they came to take over the land to stop unauthorised people from defrauding the traders in the market. He said the contract with Bridgeways was terminated over two years ago owing to non-performance of the contractor on the agreement reached with him.

Dr Babatunde said it is therefore illegal for Bridgeway Global Project Ltd, whose alter ego is one James Onyemenam or his representatives to be collecting fees and money from the marketers under the pretence that he was still in charge of the contract, when it was actually terminated by the state government two years ago.

According to him, a whopping sum of over N600 million was allegedly collected from the traders through dubious means in the name of rent, other market environmental charges as well as clear extortion of the market men and women.

He said: “The concession agreement that was signed between the Lagos state government and Messrs Bridgeways Global Projects Limited had been terminated two years ago for which we believe it should have immediately vacated as the operator within the market.

“However, we understand that innocent people have continued to make payments to Brigdeways and we must bring this to a stop.

“Any responsible government has the responsibility of protecting her citizens from being defrauded. Also, a few days ago, we were invited to the State House of Assembly.

“There has been a petition submitted to the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa and he has passed this to the member who is the House Committee Chairman on Physical Planning. He is here together with a number of other members of his Committee and it was agreed that we visit this place today as part of their oversight function. We are also taking this opportunity as a government to do the needful.”

Speaking further on the fate of existing building structures in the market, he said: “The traders are citizens and residents of Lagos and their fundamental human rights must be protected. We also have a governor, Babajide Sanwaolu, who is a kind-hearted and listening governor; he has also swung into action to protect the interest of the people who are here.

“They have paid money to Bridgeways – 100 per cent payment for market stalls that should not even cost up to 20 per cent of the amount. Bridgeways has collected up to N12 million for market stalls you can build for N3 million even in today’s Nigerian economy. That is unfair and wrong. These are things that the government wants to look into.”

On the fate of those who have made payments already, Babatunde said the victims would need to fill out some forms, with their names and other details and how much they have paid so far with evidence of payment, so that this can be verified.

The special adviser disclosed that the Urban Development Department in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development headed by Mrs. Bola Bello has taken over the management of the Kantangua project till further notice.  He directed that the eight arrested staff of Bridgeway found in the market gate collecting tolls be prosecuted in the court of law.

Also, the General Manager of LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, who addressed the  subscribers and sellers in the market, warned against any environmental infringement as well as blocking of roads leading into the market.

He warned them against paying any money to anybody for now till further notice when things are put in the right perspective.  He disclosed that some buildings and structures erected illegally in some parts of the market will give way for proper development of the market.

Also, the Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ogunkelu Sylvester who lead other members of the State House of Assembly on a fact finding mission, said they are in the market on the directives of the Speaker, in reaction to a petition written by the leaders of the Market Association.   He noted that their findings will be delivered to the speaker for further action.