Mile 12 market showdown: The pains and the gains

Different reactions have trailed the recent inter-ethnic crisis that occurred in Mile 12 area of Lagos state.

The crisis led the Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode to order the immediate shut down of the market and the traders have been the mots hit by the directive.

Regardless of the order, traders have continued to display their wares beside the market, especially as many of them make their daily living from the market, while the debate on whether the market should be relocated or not is still ongoing.

Naij.com’s Odili Esther visited the market recently and observed at the ‘Ugu Market’ section, that there was an increase in the purchase of goods by buyers from far and near.

It was observed also that the prices of some food items remained normal while some had sky-rocketed unbelievably.

Speaking with our correspondent during the visit, Solomon Okezie who sells corn, fresh groundnuts and also grinds dried pepper, crayfish and other food items, said that they have recorded an increase in the patronage of goods by buyers who buy in large quantities and sell in bits since the closure.

“Since the recent clash at mile-12, customers patronize us now unlike before that you record low sales. And market that use to be dull then is now booming. It is not that we are happy that our fellow traders’ shops were locked but we know everything that happen has a reason and we pray the outcome will be for our good,” he said.

Shade Babafemi, another trader who sells catering items like flour, butter, pastries, explained that her sales have increased beyond what she used to experience, adding that the patronage has increased immensely, a situation which she said improved their daily returns.

She said: “I sell more now than before. I would say the clash has been favourable to me. Now I do not only have old customers, I have new customers whom come to buy from far places from me at an affordable rate. Although we sell amidst fear and hope in God’s protection. I record huge profit now unlike before.

“The price has not changed, and I did not add to the price either but we cannot tell what will become of it since the main market is under lock and key.”

The harsh reality of how to survive dawned on some of the traders as they have had to secretly display their wares so as not to totally go hungry.

Such was the case with Kemi Adekoya, who narrated that she has had to come out and sell her goods because she has no other means of survival than to sell.

The onions seller told our correspondent that she hides her goods and opens them to customers who she thinks might be interested in buying from her.

“I sell in cover right now; I hide and cover my goods with clothes. I open it to those who want to buy from me, who had known me already. I stay far from my where my goods are kept. I only come out to sell with the ones I can carry, and go to my stall to ring more for my customers. But the price is stable and it is more affordable now. Because I have to sell it out since they are perishable,” she said.

But for the tomatoes sellers, there are issues with the prices as the trucks which bring them into the market no longer offload at mile-12 market (which was the place where people from far and near used to buy and resell).

Instead, one of the tomato sellers informed, they now take their wares to Mowe-Ibafo, on the outskirt of Lagos, and prefer to offload them there since the recent clash occurred.

“We go to far places to bring tomato now because they have shut the main market where they usually offload goods. Therefore, we add the transportation fee to the price and as well, the quantity is reduced. Unlike before when you will get a basket of tomato for N7,000 or N8,000. A basket of tomatoes now sells from N10,000 and above.

“In addition, it is even rare for you to see a basket of tomatoes now at mile-12. And tomatoe or pepper that was sold for N50 before now sells from N100 and above,” the anonymous trader informed.

With the recent development at the Mile-12 market, the gate remains under lock amidst tight security, but the traders hope that whatever agreement the government reaches in the coming weeks would favour them.

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