The Coalition of Associations in Computer Village (CACOVI) has voiced apprehension regarding the present condition of the Ikeja area’s Computer Village in Lagos and the extended discussions regarding relocating the market for electronic gadgets.
The Mr. Timi Davies, the president of CACOVI, informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the Computer Village has expanded far beyond expectations, leading to congestion in the market.
Davies responded to statements made by the Lagos State Government following its recent inspection of the Computer Village, proposing the relocation of the market to an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Park located in Katangua, Abule-Egba area of Lagos.
He mentioned that the primary concern for traders wasn’t just the prospect of relocation but rather the affordability of shops at the ICT park and their ability to afford them.
The president of CACOVI highlighted that the current economic climate was unfavorable for businesses, emphasizing that the relocation plan would be more feasible if the shops at the park were subsidized for traders. He also suggested that the government could support traders by providing funding through loans.
“Lagos State has been discussing the relocation of Computer Village since 2007, initially met with resistance from traders but later accepted,” he explained.
“However, the challenge lies in raising funds for the development. While the government can propose relocation policies, it’s inevitable that not all traders will move to the ICT park.”
“Furthermore,” he continued, “beyond the ICT park, there’s a necessity for the government to proactively utilize taxpayers’ money in maintaining the Ikeja Computer Village.
The current state of the market is discouraging. Proper care and enforcement measures should be implemented to ensure that the largest ICT market in West Africa truly operates as an organized marketplace.”
Davies noted that with the appointment of an Iya-Oloja (female market leader) in the Computer Village, the organization within the market had deteriorated.
He remarked that there was now a proliferation of environmental hazards and street trading, which deviated from the previous character of the Computer Village.
The president of CACOVI urged the state government to assess the condition of the village and implement positive changes while traders awaited relocation.
Speaking to NAN, the Developer of the ICT Park at Abule Egba, Bridgewater Global Project Ltd., mentioned that the relocation had faced obstacles due to unresolved matters.
Mr. Jimmy Onyemanam, the Chief Executive Officer of Bridgewater Global Project Ltd., noted that the current administration was working to address these unresolved issues.
Onyemanam highlighted that another significant challenge stemmed from the volatile nature of the economy. He noted that, for example, the project’s initial cost approval of about N17 billion now significantly exceeded that figure.
He mentioned an existing understanding with Sterling Bank, which could potentially be reassessed to enable traders to obtain shops through a leasing arrangement. According to the developer, the terms of the loan facility for traders would be established in collaboration with various associations in the Computer Village.
Onyemanam praised the state government for demonstrating increased visibility recently and providing assurances. He believed that this would bolster operators’ confidence in the project.
“There’s a crucial need for government support. It’s only with a clear and emphatic statement from the government that relocation can be encouraged,” he concluded.
According to NAN, the Lagos State Government announced its intention to relocate the Computer Village from Ikeja to Katangua in the Abule-Egba area of Lagos.
Dr. Olajide Babatunde, the Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, reaffirmed this during a collaborative inspection and enforcement operation conducted by the Lagos State Building Control Agency.
The exercise involved several law enforcement agencies and other pertinent government bodies responsible for emergency-related issues.
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