Ekiti to relocate market due to car accidents

The Ekiti State Government has said plans are afoot to relocate the Iworoko Ekiti Central Market to Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area to permanently put an end to recurring road accidents and the resulting loss of lives and property.

The Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, made this known on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti while receiving community stakeholders who paid her a courtesy visit.

Recall that a truck crashed into the market in 2019, killing 15 people and injuring some, while many traders lost their goods. In addition, another truck accident this month left two people dead.

In a statement issued by his press aide, Victor Ogunje, the deputy governor said the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji was committed to putting an end to the recurring cases of killings of traders and other citizens at Iworoko market in road accidents.

He said: “Let me sympathise with you on behalf of Governor Oyebanji over the deaths of your indigenes who were killed in road accidents inside the market. I think it has happened almost four times in five years. This is unacceptable.

“I understand that the House of Representatives has passed a resolution recommending the relocation of the market, which further demonstrates how important such a relocation is.

“I will convey your message to Governor Biodun Oyebanji and I know something will be done urgently to salvage the situation,” the deputy governor said.

The state government also promised to expedite work on the installation of a new Alaworoko, whose seat has been vacant since 2019, following the closure of Oba Aladejana, to facilitate the development of the town.

Afuye advised the community not to resort to frivolous legal actions that could stall the selection process, saying: “Go and do your homework very well, we are ready for you. I understand that there was a controversy over the Iworoko Chieftaincy Declaration. This will be streamlined and the correction will be made very soon.”

Earlier, the Regent, Princess Bolanle Ogundola, deplored the death of 15 people in a truck crash at the market in 2019.

He further appealed to the state government to remove all obstacles and install a viable monarch, so that he could reunite with his family.

President of Iworoko Progressive Union, Tajudeen Fatayo, said: “Just recently, two people died when a vehicle somersaulted inside the market. Sadly, four fatal accidents have occurred inside the market in the space of five years, apart from the minor ones.”

Fatayo said the community had taken several steps, identifying a site to relocate the market, but expressed resentment that a family from the town was creating obstacles by claiming ownership of a plot of land that had been owned by the community for years.

He appealed to the government to investigate the cases of land encroachment that are unfolding uncomfortably on the lands owned by Iworoko Community High School, to safeguard the town’s heritage in the education sector.