The Oyo State House of Assembly has urged the State Government to consider the possibility of relocating the popular Sasha market to a new and bigger site after a vast majority of the market was burned down last week.
The House made the suggestion on Tuesday while deliberating on the urgent need for the State Government to intervene in the recurring clashes between Yoruba and Hausa traders at the Market, with the latest drawing national interests from different zones.
The matter, which was brought forward by the honourable representing Akinyele constituency 2, Hon Olatunde Kehinde, recalled with bitterness how lives were lost and properties destroyed during the clash, while regretting the slow response of security operatives to the crisis.
The Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin described the incidence as unfortunate and that the crisis was not well managed by the Hausa and Yoruba indigenes at the market.
Hon Ogundoyin also cautioned on the rising spate of insecurity across the State demands that the various security agencies rise up to the challenge.
Meanwhile in their reactions, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Muhammad Fadeyi, Hon Adebayo Babajide (Ibadan North 2), Hon Dele Adeola (Iseyin, Itesiwaju) and the Majority Leader Hon Sanjo Adedoyin commended the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde for his commitment to the protection of lives and properties of the citizenry, while also appealing to Security Agencies especially the Nigerian Police to go back to their duty posts.
Also, lawmakers including Hon Ayo Fatokun (Akinyele 1), Hon Francis Adetunji (Oluyole) ,Hon Isiaka Tunde (Oyo East West) and Hon Owolabi Olusola (Ibadan North East 2), called for a need for security agencies to strategize so that crises will be well managed before they occur.
Others like the Minority Leader, Hon Asimiyu Alarape, Hon Seyi Adisa (Afijio), Hon Simeon Oyeleke (Ogo Oluwa,Surulere) called for caution in handling the present insecurity situation across the State.
The Lawmakers, however unanimously resolved that the present place where the Market is located can no longer accommodate the number of traders and the volume of goods in the market hence Government can move the Market to a new area.
They also urged the State Government to set up panel of enquiry to ascertain the cause(s) of the clash with a view to prosecuting those responsible for the mayhem.
The House further called for security Summit in all Constituencies across the State to enable stakeholders to appraise and address the present situation and suggest ways of averting future security crises.