The commissioning, held in Ward D of the council area, attracted political leaders, traditional and community stakeholders, market leaders, traders and residents who gathered to witness the opening of the modern commercial facility.
The new market represents a major transformation from the devastating fire incidents that previously disrupted commercial activities in the area, particularly the fire outbreak that occurred during the EndSARS protest in October 2020.
She also praised the incumbent council chairman, Hon. Lateef Ashimi, for ensuring the completion of the project, describing the facility as an important development that would improve the trading environment and strengthen economic activities within the community.
The Iya Oloja General urged the traders to reciprocate the gesture by taking proper ownership of the market, maintaining cleanliness and protecting the facilities provided for their businesses.
In his address, Hon. Lateef Ashimi described the commissioning as a significant achievement in his administration’s efforts to rebuild infrastructure and create opportunities for residents.
Ashimi recalled that the market was destroyed on October 21, 2020, during the EndSARS protest, with the nearby Alade Police Station also affected. He said the incident resulted in the destruction of properties worth millions of naira and left many traders facing serious economic hardship.
He acknowledged the intervention of his predecessor, Hon. Abdul Hamed Salawu, who provided ₦5 million in relief support to traders affected at Alade Market and another ₦5 million to traders at Olaleye Market, bringing the total relief assistance to ₦10 million.
The chairman further recalled that another fire incident occurred at the market on January 26, 2021, following a power surge. The incident compelled some traders to temporarily relocate their businesses to the nearby Anifowose Road.
According to Ashimi, the completed facility has now replaced the difficult trading environment with a modern market comprising 204 shops, 112 K-Clamps, 38 toilets, two bathrooms, 11 urinals, seven wash-hand basins, two hand dryers and 18 abattoir shops.
He disclosed that his administration was also working towards the reconstruction of Anifowose Road, noting that the project would improve access to the market, ease traffic and further stimulate commercial activities in the area.
Ashimi said the Alade Market project was part of his administration’s wider infrastructure programme, which has seen 35 road projects initiated across Somolu Local Government, with 21 already completed.
Beyond infrastructure development, the council chairman used the occasion to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to supporting local businesses, as 17 traders were presented with financial empowerment grants of ₦100,000 each.
He also highlighted the administration’s ₦150 million Renewed Hope Cash Intervention programme, through which 1,500 traders and young entrepreneurs received ₦100,000 each to strengthen their businesses.
Other interventions, he noted, included the provision of a bus for the Somolu Market Association and support for the Somolu Farmers Association aimed at strengthening local agricultural production.
The commissioning of the Ultra-Modern Alade Market therefore marked more than the completion of a physical structure. It signalled the restoration of a vital commercial hub and offered traders a renewed platform to rebuild their businesses, while reflecting the council administration’s emphasis on infrastructure renewal and economic empowerment.
