The Oyo State Government has handed over 88 reconstructed shops to traders who lost their businesses in a fire outbreak at Alesinloye Market in Ibadan.
The handover ceremony took place on Wednesday, with the Executive Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government, Kehinde Akande, presenting the shops to the beneficiaries on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Akande said the reconstruction fulfilled the governor’s promise to restore the affected traders’ businesses following his visit to the market after the incident.
He explained that the shops were handed over to the original owners at no cost, adding that the government had also provided financial assistance to cushion their losses.
According to him, each affected trader received N250,000 as immediate relief after the fire destroyed shops and goods worth millions of naira.
Akande said, “The governor promised that the shops would be rebuilt and handed back to the victims free of charge, and that is what we are doing today.”
He described the handover as a significant development for the market, noting that the reconstructed section had been reorganised, with improved access roads to enhance safety and movement.
The council chairman also disclosed that the government was taking additional steps to prevent future fire outbreaks, including rebuilding the market’s fire station and deploying safety officers to monitor compliance with safety regulations.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, commended the state government for fulfilling its promise.
He urged the beneficiaries to maintain the facilities, noting that the 88 shops were allocated in line with the verified list of traders affected by the incident.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, Taiwo Sekinat Bisola, who represented the market’s Babaloja, expressed appreciation to the government, describing the intervention as a major relief for those whose livelihoods were affected.
She urged the beneficiaries to maintain the reconstructed shops and adhere to safety guidelines.
The fire occurred in the early hours of March 11, 2026, in the plastic and rubber section of Alesinloye Market, destroying several shops and goods valued at millions of naira.
