Traditional chiefs in Badagry took decisive action on Saturday, visiting Agbalata Market to enforce new directives aimed at reducing the prices of foodstuffs and goods.
The intervention follows a recent decision by the Traditional Ruler of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi 1, who dissolved market committees responsible for setting prices in the market.
On August 28, the Akran of Badagry announced this decision during a meeting with market vendors at his palace.
The Akran’s directive, communicated by Chief Michael Onu-Osekan, the Jengen of Badagry, was clear: no committee should control the prices of goods in Agbalata Market.
To ensure compliance, town criers were dispatched to gather traders at four different locations within the local government area.
Chief Onu-Osekan explained the purpose of the visit, stating, “We have come to disseminate information around the market and see if the instructions issued to marketers are being followed.”
He noted that some traders were hesitant to pay for waste management, security, and other fees due to the new directives.
“We heard that some marketers are not willing to pay waste, security and other fees, due to the instructions from the palace,” Onu-Osekan added.
He urged traders not to exploit the situation for personal gain, emphasizing that the goal was to ease the burden on the community.
Chief Anthony Oloyede, the Efiyentan of Badagry Kingdom, was also present at the market.
Oloyede’s role was to ensure that the price reductions were implemented as per the Akran’s directives.
He commented, “Shortly after the directives on 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.”
The levies in question include those for security and waste management, which are crucial for maintaining market conditions.
Oloyede reminded traders of their obligations, saying, “This is part of what brought us here. The Akran urges them to pay their monthly dues and have human feeling while selling their goods.”
Mr. Tunde Hundeyin, representing the Coconut Sellers Association of Agbalata Market, welcomed the chiefs’ intervention.
Hundeyin praised the chiefs for addressing the issue of high food prices directly.
However, he also highlighted another concern: the rising costs of petrol and diesel.
“These are major causes of the hike in food prices,” Hundeyin said. He called on the traditional chiefs to appeal to the government for a reduction in fuel prices.
In response to the chiefs’ directives, Chief Solomon Alabi, the Otun Baba Oja of Agbalata Market, assured that traders would comply with the new regulations.
Alabi expressed gratitude to the chiefs for their visit, stating, “We thank the chiefs for coming to the market to brief us on the Akran’s directives. We promise to follow the instructions.”
The traditional chiefs’ visit marks a significant effort to stabilize food prices and ensure fairness in the market.
Their actions come amidst broader economic challenges in Nigeria, where rising costs have been a growing concern for many citizens.