Recall that the over 400- year old marked was brought down by fire on January 5th.
On Wednesday, Seyi Makinde,Oyo State Governor launched reconstruction of the Akesan modern market complex in Oyo seven months after it was brought down.
According to the Governor, the market will have 520 lock up shops, 168 open stalls, administrative block, warehouses, cold room storage facilities, clinic, police post, toilets, potable water, among others.
He said:
“When we visited this market on January 8 to assess the damage, I promised to take full responsibility for the fire service’s failure to contain it, rebuild the market and compensate traders for their loss.
“We were able to provide our widow’s mite to victims so they can start again. We also replaced the fire truck at the Akesan Fire station. We can now sleep with our eyes closed knowing that should there be a fire here or anywhere around, the fire service will have no excuse not to work.
“We have taken time to redesign the market. The reconstruction will cost N781 million and the stores will be allocated to the original owners. The first phase of reconstruction will take six months and the second phase two months. The contractor has assured us that in less than one year, the market will be complete and ready.”
However, Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin Of oyo thanked the Governor for supporting the victims. He therefore pleaded with the contractors to use quality materials, and traders to be safety conscious when the market is reopened.
