Operators at the Ayedaade Plank Market in New Garage area of Oluyole Local Government, Oyo State, have expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the council chairman, Asiwaju Akeem Olatunji, for grading the internal roads within the market.
Ahead of the approaching raining season, Olatunji had on Saturday, March 8, mobilized Catapilla and graders to Ayedaade Plank market for the grading of internal roads within the market for ease of movement and commuting inside and around the plank market.
The move has equally been described as unprecedented since the market was created in 1980 and has culminated into a significant relief for traders who had long endured difficulties due to the poor state of the roads.
The grading work, which commenced earlier Saturday morning, has drastically improved accessibility, thereby, allowing for the smooth movement of goods and customers within the market.
Many traders, especially those dealing in timber and construction materials, noted that the poor road network had previously hindered business activities and increased transportation costs.
Speaking on behalf of the traders and operators of the market, Alhaji Olajide Kabiru, the Baale of Ayeegun Oleyo and President of Ayedaade Plank Market, lauded the Council Chairman for being proactive to their dire need.
“For years, since 1980 that this market was created, we have struggled with these roads, especially during the rainy season when they became almost impassable.
Now, with this proactive intervention by our overall leader and Asiwaju Oluyole, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, we can conduct our business with ease and have our minds at rest as the raining season approaches. We are truly grateful to Asiwaju Olatunji for this,” Alhaji Kabiru said.
Another trader, Ibrahim Jonathan, the youth leader of Ayedaade Plank Market, highlighted the positive impact of the development.
He stated that all the market men and women in Ayedaade Plank market would continue to support Olatunji in his political endeavors having proven himself as a trusted and trustworthy politician and leader.
“Before now, many customers avoided coming here because of the bad roads. With this improvement, we expect better patronage and increased sales,” he noted.
One of the oldest and eldest person in the market, Mr. Musibau Ajao, remarked that he has been an operator in the market for over 37 years, and had never witnessed such proactive intervention by any government noting that Olatunji’s move was the first of such gesture from any government regarding the market’s inner roads.
Acknowledging the praises and commendations by the market operators, Olatunji reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots development and the welfare of business communities within the local government.
He noted that his administration has no choice than to domesticate governor Seyi Makinde’s laudable roadmap for sustainable development under Omituntun 2.0 which according to him, was a consolidation on the state’s accelerated development agenda under Omituntun 1.0.
He added that his administration in Oluyole has a full grasp of the state government’s Medium and Long Term Framework for sustainable development and has fully keyed into it to ensure the people of Oluyole are not left behind in the ongoing transformation of Oyo state’s socio-economic landscape through its four cardinal pillars.
“Our goal is to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in line with the vision of Governor Seyi Makinde, who has in his wisdom set us on a clear path of economic prosperity.
The Ayedaade Plank Market is a vital commercial hub in Oluyole LG and a major contributor to the local government and state’s internally generated revenue. We will therefore, continue to support it all with necessary infrastructure,” Olatunji stated.