Many legislators at the Lagos State House of Assembly expressed their support for the Market Authority Bill during a session on Tuesday.
Naija News understands that the bill passed its second reading in the House, with Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, committing it to the House Committee on Local Government.
The committee is anticipated to provide a report to the House within a fortnight.
If enacted, the bill seeks to establish regulations for registering, forming, organising, and operating market activities within the State.
In his remark on the bill, the chairman of the local government committee, Sanni Okanlawon, indicated that the bill aims to rectify certain deficiencies in the current legislation and will require all markets to be officially registered.
His colleague, Rauf Age-Suleiman, emphasized that the proposed board’s composition is comprehensive and inclusive.
Deputy Majority Leader Adedamola Richard Kasunmu remarked that the Iyaloja-General should be included in the Market Advisory Council as outlined in the bill, suggesting that her inclusion on the Market Board would create conflicting responsibilities.
Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh also pointed out that the bill mandates the House’s ratification of board member appointments, highlighting that it would eliminate instances where traders unilaterally assign titles to themselves.
“Clause 18 talks about an advisory board which the Iyaloja-General is going to be heading. That tells us that our Iyaloja is in a better position to give the necessary advice,” he said.
In a statement made available to Naija News on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Eromosele Ebhomele, quoted Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, as saying that the proposed law would be appreciated by Lagosians. His colleague, Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, urged that the bill should make it necessary for only honest people to gain positions.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Aro Moshood emphasised that the bill ensures the cleanliness of markets and their effective management and takes care of gridlocks caused by the activities of traders and buyers.
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