The Oyo State Government has dismissed rumours circulating about the planned closure of the Bola Ige International Business Complex, popularly known as Gbagi Market, in Ibadan on Monday.
The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives, and Industry, Adeniyi Adebisi, stated this in Ibadan on Sunday, describing the claims as false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt by mischief-makers to stir unnecessary tension within the business community.
“The Bola Ige International Business Complex remains a hub of commercial activities in the state, and at no point did the government contemplate shutting it down.
“We urge traders and the public to disregard this misleading information being spread by unscrupulous elements whose aim is to disrupt peace and normal business operations.
“Normal activities will continue without any hindrance on Monday and beyond,” Adebisi said.
He urged traders, shop owners, and members of the public to disregard the misleading information, and assured them that normal business activities would continue without interruption.
The commissioner, however, noted that the government was aware of certain questionable practices in the complex, including cases where some shop owners allegedly allocate spaces in front of their shops to petty traders and exploit them financially.
He said the government was taking steps to address the situation in a fair and balanced manner to protect the interests of all categories of traders.
Adebisi emphasised that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration remained committed to creating an enabling environment for commerce to thrive and would not take decisions capable of crippling business activities in the state.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olajide Okesade, reaffirmed the government’s position, stressing that adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure peace and order at the market.
“The ministry wishes to assure all traders, customers, and stakeholders that there will be no closure of the Bola Ige International Business Complex on Monday. The rumour is unfounded, and everyone should go about their normal business without fear,” Okesade said.
The government appealed to members of the public to ignore false reports and rely only on official information from relevant authorities.
