Freight forwarders and shippers have estimated a whooping N500Billion losses to the closure of Alaba International Market , Ladipo Spare Parts Market and some affected markets in the state over improper waste disposal and other environmental infractions.
This is coming barely three weeks collectively of the markets closure in Lagos; a situation the freight agents and traders described as unfriendly to economic gains and revenue drive of the government at all levels.
The operators lamented that the state government actions to shutdown the markets sent a wrong signal to business investors considering the harsh economic situation of the country.
A cross section of the freight forwarders and traders decried how import laden containers were trapped along major highways during the markets closure thus daily multiple payment to states and non state actors.
It was gathered the affected markets have the capability to generate a whooping N50 billion daily.
Going by the figures thus multiplied by the number of days the markets were shutdown , indications revealed that the figure might stood above the estimated N500 billion .
Speaking on the development on Monday in Lagos, National Coordinator, Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders Importers Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC), Chief Osita Chukwu Patrick accused the relevant authorities for failing to consider the importance of the markets before the closure.
Considering the importance of the markets, Osita argued that the Lagos State Government failed to understand that there will be ripple effect in the future against the backdrop of Lagos revenue drive adding that the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab and management of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) erred over the closure.
The National Coordinator called on the State government to caution the agencies responsible for environmental sanitation over the incessant shutdown of markets noting that regular monitoring should be the hallmark of cleaner and safer environment.
He said “The market trader and the government agencies alongside the relevant associations should continuously brainstorm and proffer solutions to sanitatio matters and not the other way around to close markets.
“The closure of markets in Lagos have multiple and negative effects to the immediate communities, the state and the central.
“This will show you that there is no collaboration between the traders and the government. The traders pay all necessary levies and dues so why was the issues of sanitation became a national discourse if the authorities are active to their responsibilities.
“However, did you know that the markets closure led to over N500 billion losses.? This is not the best way to carry out enforcement at the detriment of the economy.
Giving a breakdown of the huge lost in revenue , he stated that containers cleared from the ports led to backlog of trades hanging hence failed to get to the markets as at when due.
Osita called on government to sanction erring personnel of the respective authorities deployed to markets of such standards in charge of sanitation .
Also , a shipper who crave anonymity expressed disappointment over the markets closure saying that some businesses were hit by the state government decision.
The businessman lamented that the markets closure sent a wrong signal to investors adding that “Most businesses were affected , debts incurred and some businesses suffered litigations from customers as a result of these action meted out to us.”
Similarly, a trader who identified himself as David Ogbonna corroborated the freight agent views adding that the closure led to massive loss of money with huge debt incurred by the traders.
He also reiterated that debts profile of some traders increased due to the markets closure noting that the situation was quite pathetic for the traders across the affected markets.
Recall that the Lagos State Government reopened the Alaba International Market and some markets in the Trade Fair Complex, all located in Ojo, Lagos, after days of closure for improper waste disposal and other environmental infractions.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the markets were reopened after addressing most of the environmental issues, adding that the closure was not politically motivated but rather a step towards ensuring a clean and healthy environment around the business facilities.
Wahab reiterated the significance of maintaining a harmonious balance between commerce and environmental health, stating that the enforcement action was a continuous one, as the government would not shy away from sealing any market or corporate organisation found wanting.
The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin said the agency worked closely with the markets’ stakeholders to ensure that they implemented necessary changes to meet required environmental standards, adding that it was important for markets to operate in a manner that was not only economically viable but also environmentally responsible.
By Roland Ekama
