The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has on Thursday 12th December 2019 through his Commissioner For Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Abiodun Abdul-Raheem demolished structures, shops, containers and many other things illegally stage around the shopping complex.
It should be recalled that the complex has for over years continued experiencing monumental decay and rot, with government abandoning the complex for hoodlums hideout, and domicile for many beggars routing that Agbowo-UI axis.
Added to that, the complex is one of the economic hubs in Ibadan, Oyo State but the abandonment of that monument that ought to be a booster to the economic activities and prosperity of its environs has become a shambolic structure at the place.
It should be noted as well that, The Nigerian Tribune of October 12, 2016 reported that “Oyo state Government entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Agbowo Mall Infrastructure Development Company Limited. The MOU was meant to see the commission of about N8billion to the renovation of the complex.
However, 30 months after the signing of the MOU, the mall is not only without a trace of renovation, sadly, it is also yet to experience a new lease of life. Government has not only failed the occupants of this mall who feared abandonment of the mall if they were evicted from the mall to give room for renovation, but Government has also displayed an height of irresponsibility and lack of commitment to the economic sustainability of the city. No doubt the fears of the occupants were not out of place as a few of them still manage to trade in the mall despite Government’s failed promises.”
Truthfully, the Oyo State government in September of this year has ordered that, illegal occupants at Agbowo Shopping Complex should vacate the complex as its due for renovation from the new administration of Gov. Seyi Makinde.
This was noted by the Lands, Housing and Urban Development commissioner during his inspection tour to the area, and with the Oyo State Housing Corporation Estates. “The State government will not condone the usage of its property illegally”, he said.
According to the commissioner, “The situation of things at Agbowo Shopping Complex is worrisome. What baffles me more is that the tenants at the shops who have now turned themselves to landlords going by their attitude maintained that the last time they paid their rent was in 2012. This is not good at all and we are using this medium to inform them that renovation of the edifice will soon start and we have no choice than to eject them”.
Describing the complex as a gold mine that the state must be properly maintained during the inspection, Abdul_Raheem urged the illegal occupants to bear with the government and move out of the shops as government could not renovate the place with people still occupying the building.