Lagos Assembly holds public hearing on market bill

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday held a public hearing on a planned Market Authority Bill.

The bill seeks to establish a law for the registration, formation, and operation of market associations and connected purposes.

It was presented to the public by the Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Babatunde, at the Lateef Jakande Hall, Alausa, Ikeja.

Babatunde explained that  once passed, the law would ensure the effective monitoring of market activities, improve market operations and resolve leadership issues.

He said, “The market authority will provide advice to the governor on matters affecting the markets within the state to ensure peace, harmony and a conducive environment for all traders. Furthermore, the proposed bill intends to keep a record of markets in the state and their location and assist the state in implementing policies on environmental sanitation by ensuring compliance with all state environmental laws and illegal market structures.

“The bill also seeks to harmonise different commodity groups that engage in buying and selling of commodities in the state, as well as the provision of support to contribute immensely to the proposed legislation.”

The Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Sanni Babatunde, said once passed, the law would ensure effective monitoring of market activities and improve record-keeping on sanitation.

The event had the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, as the Chief Host, and was graced by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi; the Iyaloja-General the Federation, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, Nollywood actor, Prince Jide Kosoko, and several market stakeholders.

Obasa was represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mojisola Lasbat.

While Speaking, Oba Shotobi sought the inclusion of traditional rulers in the management of markets, maintaining that the relevance of traditional institutions in community governance could not be overemphasised.

“This bill is a unique one and I want to thank those who sat, put it together and presented it to the public. I don’t have any objection or any observation on this bill but I must point out to you the role of traditional institutions in the governance of Nigeria.

“This bill has not mentioned anything about the function of the traditional institutions in the community where the market is established. The bill you have presented, many of us will follow and copy what you are preaching. Please, don’t eliminate the function of the traditional institutions in this case,” the monarch said.

Responding to concerns raised during the public hearing, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Lasbat, assured stakeholders that the bill would not result in the relocation of market women.

She also assured Oba Shotobi that his concern had been noted, saying, “You will hear from the authority soon.”