On Saturday, traditional chiefs in Badagry stormed Agbalata Market to enforce the directives of the traditional ruler (Akran) to reduce the prices of foodstuffs and goods.

The traditional ruler of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi 1, on August 28, dissolved all market committeesdictating the prices of foodstuffs and goods in Agbalata International Market indefinitely.

The Akran made the announcement at a meeting with Agbalata market men and women at his palace in Badagry.

The Akran, represented by Michael Onu-Osekan, the Jengen of Badagry, said no committee should set the price of foodstuffs and goods brought to the market by sellers any longer.

Mr Onu-Osekan sent town criers to assemble the traders at four different venues in the local government to address them.

He said the chiefs had come on instructions of the Akran in reference to the meeting he held at his palace.

“We have come to disseminate information around the market and see if the instructions issued to marketers are being followed.

“We heard that some marketers are not willing to pay waste, security and other fees due to the instructions from the palace.

“The message is that they should not make things harder for our fellow people of the community; they should not overcharge people with the aim of gaining too much,” he said.

Similarly, Anthony Oloyede, the Efiyentan of Badagry Kingdom, said they were in the market to ensure marketers regulate the price of foodstuffs according to Akran’s directives.

Mr Oloyede said, “Shortly after the directives on the dissolution of market committees and reduction of prices of foodstuffs, we heard that some traders are adamant and even refused to pay their normal market levies.

“This is part of what brought us here; Akran urges them to pay their monthly dues and have human feelings while selling their goods,” he said.

Tunde Hundeyin, representing the Coconut Sellers Association of Agbalata Market, commended the traditional chiefs for coming to address the marketers on the high cost of foodstuffs.

Mr Hundeyin, however, urged the traditional chiefs to appeal to the government to reduce the pump prices of petrol and diesel.

He said these were a major cause of the price hike of foodstuff.

Solomon Alabi, the Otun Baba Oja of Agbalata Market, promised that all traders in the market would comply with the directives of the traditional ruler.

Mr Alabi thanked the chiefs for coming to the market to brief the marketers on Akran’s directives. 

(NAN)