House Committee Inspects Proposed Kara Market Relocation Site in Ogere
Ogere, Ogun State — The Ogun State House Committee on Agriculture and Environment, accompanied by representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, as well as stakeholders from Kara Market, conducted an inspection of the proposed relocation site for the Kara Market in Ogere. The site is intended to house the market, which is currently located at another location in the state.
The inspection, which took place on Friday, 16th of August, was initiated in response to the Ministry of Environment’s decision to relocate the Kara Market, known for its cow and ram trading, to a more suitable site. The primary aim was to assess the readiness of the new site to support the market’s operations.
Findings from the Inspection
The inspection revealed several critical issues regarding the preparedness of the site:
- Infrastructure Concerns:
- Building Conditions: The inspection team observed that many of the structures at the proposed site had been subjected to vandalism and looting. Numerous buildings were found in a state of disrepair, unfinished, or entirely non-functional.
- Abattoir Equipment: It was discovered that equipment meant for a semi-automated abattoir had been stolen. Due to this, the market will need to rely on manual operations temporarily once it relocates.
- Essential Facilities: Key infrastructure, such as water supply systems, drainage, and access roads, were found to be incomplete or missing altogether, further complicating the readiness of the site.
- Site Readiness:
Based on the current state of the infrastructure, it was unanimously agreed by all parties involved that the proposed site is not ready to accommodate the relocation of the Kara Market. - Ministry of Environment’s Commitment:
Representatives from the Ministry of Environment acknowledged the shortcomings identified during the inspection and assured that efforts would be made to complete the necessary infrastructure by the end of the year.
Recommendations and Conclusion
Given the findings, the House Committee on Agriculture has resolved that Kara Market should remain at its current location until the Ogere site is fully equipped, secure, and ready to support the market’s operations. The Committee emphasized the importance of a well-planned and executed relocation to avoid disruptions in the market’s activities.
Hon. Waliu Ifedolapo Owode, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, stated that the Committee would continue to monitor the development of the Ogere site to ensure that the relocation only takes place when all conditions are met.
The relocation of Kara Market is seen as a critical move that requires careful consideration and comprehensive planning to ensure the smooth continuation of market operations. The House Committee on Agriculture remains committed to overseeing this process to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders involved.
