Osun State Community and Social Development Agency (OSUN CSDA), developmental train arrived in Ilesa east local government area on Wednesday, with Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke at the officially commissioning of the 64 block stalls and eight solar street lights in Atakumosa international market amid applause from the residents, traders of the commercial area, who lost their shops to fire outbreak in February 2020 and also in 2022.
In her speech, the General Manager of the Osun State Community and Social Development Agency (OSUN CSDA), Funmi Abokede said this is another fulfilment of the journey to boost economy of the State as the Atakunmosa International market will rejuvenate economic status of the people, create a conducive environment for business and boost economic activities of the state.
Abokede noted that the market is a well patronized market and a veritable internally generated revenue spinners for the state government.
“This commissioning is only possible because of the funding provided by the Executive Governor of the State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.
“The Executive Governor of Osun State is committed and dedicated to the improvement of basic economic and livelihoods of the people of Osun State.
“Indeed, our Governor is walking his talk on his 5 Point Development Agenda as a matter of fact, this project is in line with the No. 2 Development Agenda of Mr Governor “To Boost Economy of the State”.
“This is the provision of democracy dividend to the people- electoral promises are translated into needed social amenities and development through Osun State Community and Social Development Agency (Osun CSDA)” she said.
Abokede enjoined beneficiaries of the new shops to judiciously make use of them and ensure maintenance of the market in order to make facilities to serve for years.
In Governor Adeleke’s Address, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Kola Adewusi at the formal commissioning of the international market which are part of 98 micro projects funded by the government across the State.
While communicating with the good people of the local government area, the governor said markets are important part of the economy added that empowering people of the state is a key priority area in the development agenda of his administration.
According to Adeleke, “I learnt many traders were displaced as a result of fire out break leading to economic deprivation and in their bid to survive, had resulted in looking for any available spaces and places to exhibit their wares, even when such were very odd to the extent of obstructing vehicular movement.
“This I learnt has led to protest and confrontations in the past. I hope the stalls being commissioned today will go a long way in addressing this issue and similar ones.
“Permit me to say that economic empowerment of our people, is a key priority area in the development agenda of this administration. This is because wealth creation and poverty eradication evolved round it.
“In any clime, markets are important part of the economy. They allow a space where businesses, government and individuals can buy and sell goods and services and inject much-needed liquidity into the economy.
“Besides these, people of diverse ethnic groups, racial backgrounds and cultural traits are linked together in market places. Similarly, market provides physical setting for interaction between urban and rural cultures.
“Let me reiterate the fact that we are here to empower our people. It is our responsibility to do so, because leadership is about taking responsibilities.
“We understand that sometimes, the responsibilities could be very enormous, but what is keeping us going is the readiness of God to guide us through the process, the evidences of what we see around the State, just within the spate of 100 days in office.
“In doing the business of governance and as far as our administration is concerned, loyalty and priorities are our watch words. This market is a priority to us. That’s why we are here.
Voice Air Media reports that Osun CSDA is an agency that make use of Community Driven Development (CDD), bottom-up approach and primarily finance Micro projects initiated by communities.
While appreciating the governor, Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Aromolaran represented by High Chief, Odole of Ijesaland, Babatunde Abiono Obenbe lauded the State government for responding to the yarning of the traders of Atakunmosa International Market in his 100 days in office.
The monarch who explained that the market has been in existence for many decades urged the governor to rehabilitate roads within the market.
At the commissioning, the Iyaloja of Atakumosa Market, Olabisi Awe Declared total support for Adeleke’s government, said “all men and women doing business in the market will continue to support Adeleke-led government.”
She further said the governor surprised them with the projects within his 100 days in office.
Voice Air Media gathered that the Atakunmosa International market was razed by fire, during the Oyetola led-adminstration in February 2020 and also in 2022 where goods worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
