The Lagos State Government has terminated the contractual relationship with Bridgeway Global Project Limited on the development of the Kantagua Market.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde, disclosed this during an inspection of the vast land area earmarked for the relocation of Ikeja Computer Village in the urban regeneration programme of the state government.
He said, “The contract with the Kantagua Market Project consultant, Bridgeway Global Project Limited, has since been terminated over two years ago due to non-performance of the contractor on the agreement reached with him and it is, therefore, illegal for him or his representatives to collect any fees or money from anyone in any disguise on the development of the market after termination of his contract.
“The Urban Development Department in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development headed by Bola Bello has taken over the management of the Kantangua project till further notice. He also directed that anything that has to do with project control has to be in line with Lagos State Building Control Agency’s guidelines and regulations.”
Speaking on the fate of subscribers who had paid Bridgeway Global Project Limited for the allocation of shops in the market, Babatunde said, “All of you that have paid any money to the project consultant after his contract was terminated, I can assure you that Bridgeway Global Project Limited will be made to refund all fees collected illegally to the subscribers after the conduct of proper identification and verification by the State government to determine the real occupants and how much they paid.
“From this moment, nobody should pay any kobo to them again as they no longer represent the state government on this project. The Director of Urban Development, Bola Bello, and her team will be the ones to represent the State Government on this market project till further notice and if you have anything to do on this market project, please liaise with her.”
He directed that eight members of staff of Bridgeway Global Project Limited found in the market gate collecting tolls and fees be arrested and prosecuted in a court of law.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki, while addressing the multitude of subscribers and sellers in the market, warned against any environmental infringement as well as blocking roads leading into the market.
He warned, “Nobody should pay any money to anybody for now till further notice when things are put in the right perspective.”
He disclosed that some buildings and structures erected illegally in some parts of the market would give way to the proper development of the market.
The Chairman of the Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development in the State House of Assembly, Ogunkelu Sylvester, along with other members of the House of Assembly, visited the market to carry out a fact-finding mission.
He stated that they were sent on the directive of the speaker, in response to a petition filed by leaders of the market association.
He added that findings would be delivered to the speaker for further action.
