Every time I drive past the proposed Mile 12 Market at Imota, I cannot help but feel concerned. A project reportedly worth about ₦4 billion is sitting idle, gradually deteriorating, while the state continues to grapple with growing demands for modern market infrastructure.
The market was conceived during a previous administration as the proposed relocation site for the famous Mile 12 Market. However, for several reasons, the traders have been unwilling to relocate. Their reluctance is understandable, they have built their businesses around the existing location, enjoy an established customer base, and the current market generates significant commercial activity.
But one fact remains: a completed public asset should never be abandoned simply because its original purpose has become difficult to achieve.
The Imota market is a massive investment. It has shops, open trading spaces, security facilities including a police station, and other supporting infrastructure. Allowing such a facility to decay is not only an economic loss but also a missed opportunity for Lagos State.
If relocating Mile 12 traders is no longer feasible, then it is time for the Lagos State Government to think differently.
The facility can be repurposed into:
- A modern agricultural produce hub.
- A regional wholesale food distribution centre.
- A government-supported farmers’ market linking producers directly with buyers.
- A commodity exchange and aggregation centre.
- A logistics and produce collection hub serving Ikorodu, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, and neighbouring communities.
Before anything else, the premises should be properly maintained, cleared, secured, and preserved to prevent further deterioration.
This should not be the responsibility of the Governor alone. The Ministries of Commerce, Agriculture, Physical Planning, and Economic Planning should jointly develop a sustainable plan for the facility. Experts from the private sector, market associations, and agricultural stakeholders should also be invited to contribute practical ideas.
Lagos has demonstrated innovation in developing modern market systems in other parts of the state. There is no reason why the Imota facility cannot become another successful commercial hub that stimulates economic growth, creates jobs, improves food distribution, and opens up more opportunities for surrounding communities.
We must stop seeing this as a failed relocation project and begin to see it as a valuable economic asset waiting to be activated.
A greater Lagos is built not only by constructing infrastructure but by ensuring that every public investment delivers value to the people.
I therefore call on the Lagos State Government to urgently revisit the Imota Market project and develop a practical strategy to put this multi-billion-naira investment into productive use.
General Bashexy ✒
Together, through innovation, creativity, and purposeful leadership, we can ensure that no valuable public asset is left to waste.
For a Greater Lagos, every investment must count.
By Hassan Bashiru O
Disclaimer
The opinion expressed here do not reflect the opinions of KosofePost newspapers or any employee thereof.