Ekiti State Launches Six-Month Rent Exemption For Market Stallholders

Ekiti State Launches Six-Month Rent Exemption For Market StallholdersThe Ekiti State Government has announced the allocation of six-month rent-free stalls and shops for itinerant and street traders at the Oja Oba main market, Agric-Olope, and Awedele markets.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Mrs. Omotayo Adeola, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperatives, shared this information during a bilingual audience participatory simulcast reaching both Ekiti and parts of Ondo states. This initiative marks the second anniversary of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration and aims to eliminate street trading, enhance commercial activities, and fill vacant stalls in the markets.

Adeola explained that the high cost of renting shops would no longer be a barrier for street traders. The government is now offering shop allocations based on annual rent collection with an initial six-month rent-free period, replacing the previous 15-year lease model that was often unaffordable for many petty traders.

Traders will be responsible for utility bills, including electricity and sanitation services, to ensure cleanliness and hygiene in the markets. Interested individuals can register and apply for space at no cost at the facility management office on the first floor of the Oja Oba main market. Applicants will need to provide their name, nature of trade, a passport photograph, and their National Identification Number (NIN).

Adeola warned that traders already holding shops in any market would not qualify for this scheme. Additionally, any shops allocated but left unused will be reclaimed by the government and reallocated to those in need of trading space. More than one petty trader may share a shop depending on their business size and suitability.

The government plans to enforce the law prohibiting street trading once the allocation process concludes. Adeola emphasized the commitment of the Ekiti State Government to tackle street trading, stating, “We have invested significantly in the markets to boost economic activities, and we want to protect street traders from accidents. The law against street trading will be enforced.”

Addressing the rising cost of food items and the unfavorable trade patterns affecting the disposal of farm products, Adeola announced that the state government has made arrangements to manage excess food during the harvest season, ensuring a continuous supply chain at affordable prices throughout the year. The government will also engage in all agricultural chain activities, from providing farm inputs to farmers to facilitating the movement of agricultural products from farms to consumers.

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