Tension is currently gripping shop owners at the popular Scout Camp Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital as the expiration of ultimatum given to them by the state government expires tomorrow (Tuesday).
DAILY POST gathered Monday evening that most of the traders at the market are currently in a sober mood as they face revocation of ownership of their shops if the ultimatum given by the Oyo State government for the payment of a total sum of N62,000 as annual rent expires tomorrow (Tuesday).
The state government had asked each owner of about 380 lock up shops and 900 open stalls in the market to pay a total sum of N62,000 annually.
This according to investigations by our correspondent will cover N50,000 as rent and N12,000 as service charge.
It reads, “Kindly pay the Rent and Service Charge for your lock-up shop at Scout Camp Business Complex on or before 5th December, 2017 or face revocation of offer”.
It was learnt that the affected traders had on several occasions protested and requested the state government to reduce the sum to N36,000 covering N24,000 as rent and N12,000 as service charge.
The traders last week at a meeting with representatives of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the state, led by his Executive Assistant on Political Matters, Dr. Morounkola Thomas and Special Adviser to Ajimobi on Community Relations, Mr Murisiku Siyanbade argued that low patronage at the market was the major reason they were calling for reduction of the rent.
Chairman and Secretary of the traders’ association, Mr Kehinde Tewogbade and Mr Olayiwola Shuaib respectively in their remarks argued that they were not in an advantaged location for sales as well as the fact that there were a lot of street trading from Molete to Orita restricting buyers from coming into the market.
They appealed to the state government to be allowed to remain in their stalls pending a downward review of the rent.
Morounkola Thomas while responding said the state government had considered appeals and several factors before it pegged the rent at N50,000.
But, close sources at the market said most shop owners in the market were currently battling with anxiety over revocation of their shops.
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