The president general of Alaba International Amalgamated Council of Sections, High Chief Camilus Amajuoyi, has said that the biggest electronics market in the whole of Africa is no longer the ‘so-called ‘international market but rather it is now firmly among the Organised Private Sector businesses in Nigeria.

Speaking on the occasion of his two years anniversary as the President of International Market Association Electronics (IMAE), he said that his vision is that before he leaves office as the president, Alaba International would become the business hub of Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.

In this interview, he also spoke on the cordial relationship existing between the market and Lagos State government, how he has been able to transform the infrastructure in the market, thereby giving it a facelift, the challenges of access roads to the market and other pertinent issues.

Excerpts:

Today marks the two years anniversary of your administration, how good is your score card?

The truth is that nobody succeeds alone. So it not going to be about me alone but rather my team of wonderful executive which I was given the mandate to lead. We were sworn in on October5, 2022 and two years later, we can look back with our shoulders high in the fulfillment of our electoral promises to the traders in Alaba International market. To start with, our administration succeeded in driving away the touts and road side traders who were making it difficult for us to access the market. The act reduced the usual gridlock experienced in front of our market and this has attracted more customers. The act also helped to reduce accidents and incidents of pick-pocketing within the market. We reconstructed the International Market Association Electronics secretariat into a modern edifice, befitting for hosting government and international resource persons. Other things we had done in the last two years are the rehabilitation of failed road portions to ease the movement of goods and services, drilling of six boreholes as well as repairing of existing but not functioning ones. Before now, we have been faced with the challenges of flooding and every year we lose hundreds of millions to flooding but we are now constructing a massive drainage with the approval of Lagos State government and at the moment, this project has gulped over sixty million naira.

How is the association’s relationship with Lagos State government, especially after the demolition that happened in the market?

We have closed the gap of strained relationship between us and the Lagos State government which led to the demolition of some plazas and shops in the market. Some prominent Igbos sons and daughters helped to mediate with Lagos State government to prevent further demolition of shops and plazas by government or its agencies. This has created a harmonious relationship between us and government at all levels. Again, in line with our agreement with Lagos State government to rebuild and restructure Alaba International Market to conform with smart city and international standard, we have started the implementation to give our market a facelift. The ‘New Face of Alaba is not just a mantra, but a vision borne out of selfless service to humanity and infrastructural development. This administration has changed the narrative of our market which has been portrayed as a haven for touts and illiterates to a reference point of business management and entrepreneurship. We have gained national and international recognitions by attending seminars, speech making and workshops. It is worthy to note that our administration is eagerly and seriously pushing for the approval of documents of Alaba International Market through my wealth of contacts and legal ethics.

A saying has It that health is wealth. What are you doing in that regard?

That is a very good question. We are working towards improving the health status of all the traders and one of the ways we are doing it is by banning all the unhealthy restaurants/eateries in the market. We have also constructed modern restaurants /eateries in a section of our garage .We are ensuring that all the food vendors are trained caterers who follow international best practices in cooking healthy food.

What are your challenges?

Our major challenge is the road that leads to the market from Volkswagen Bus Stop. The road is in very deplorable condition. Apart from being in a deplorable state, it is also an accident waiting to happen because heavy utility vehicles bring containers into the market are always swaying from one side to the other because of the ditches and gullies on the road. Some of the times, the containers do fall off the trucks which is very dangerous. So I am appealing to the governor of Lagos state to please come to our aid. If they cannot reconstruct the road, let them at least rehabilitate the bad portions so that lives and properties could be saved. On the home front, we have been able to bring peace between traders who were having disputes and misunderstanding because we are conscious of the fact that there can never be development in the absence of peace.

What message do you have for the traders?

I will like to start by appreciating the heavy weights, the men of timber and caliber who supported me to emerge as the president of Alaba International Amalgamated. People like Chief Celestine Ezeani, Chief Amaechi Obodo, Chief Uche Ubochi, Chief Emeka Dike, Ohimeri Ochendo, Chief Leonard Okafor, Cosmos Obiedelu, Chief Donald Esomonye, Evangelist Paulinus Ugochukwu, to mention just a few. To all the traders, I pledge to my commitment and discharge of responsibility to the glory of God and service to humanity. I want to assure them that my administration will continue to listen to their concerns and also be responding to their needs. As we continue with leadership /administrative responsibility, I am optimistic that the future holds sway for greater achievements. The truth is that we have continued to actualize the vision of our founding fathers and forebears. We have not just made this place a market of repute but also a community of people with vision, bound in peace, unity and dedication. I am truly inspired by their continuous support.”