The Computer Village, Ikeja, adjudged as the largest ICT market in West Africa, was yesterday shut down by traders protesting against the planned inst
The Computer Village, Ikeja, adjudged as the largest ICT market in West Africa, was yesterday shut down by traders protesting against the planned installation of female and male market leaders known as ‘Iyaloja’ and ‘Babaloja’ in the market. The traders halted activities in the famous technology hub, insisting that it does not need the imposition of such leaders.
The operators, under the aegis of Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN), Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (PAPDAN) and the Landlord Association, yesterday during a peaceful rally to the Lagos State House of Assembly, called on the lawmakers to urgently intervene in the matter.
According to them, the technological and commercial hub had been regulated by the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and no Iyaoloja was needed to regulate their activities. CAPDAN president, Adeniyi Ojikutu, said the critical stakeholders are appealing to the state government to save computer village. Ojikutu said those that have no business record or address of whatsoever within the hub were the ones agitating for the imposition of Iyaloja.
According to him, through harassment, threat and oppression, the Iyaoloja installation was imposed on stakeholders thereby threatening the peace of the hub that had been enjoyed for over 25 years.
Majority leader, Sunday Agunbiade, who addressed the protesters on behalf of the speaker, Mudaisuru Obasa, said the peaceful protest was in line with the democratic tenets.
“You can be rest assured that the House of Assembly in its usual character will look into your complaints. Where and if necessary, you will be invited, all we want in Lagos is peaceful coexistence and transaction of businesses because Lagos is the economic nerve centre of the country.”
The ICT hub which adds over $2 billion (N300 billion) to the economy yearly, has over 3,500 companies and multinationals from within and outside the country registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Besides, over 10,500 business transactions are carried out in the market daily.
