The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives, businesses, and investments at the Bola-Ige International Business Complex (BIIBCO) in Ibadan, following a recent fire outbreak that affected eight shops. The government has intensified efforts to remove illegal structures and restore the complex's original master plan. This move follows separate engagements between the Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, and stakeholders, including affected traders and market leaders.
Commissioner Adelabu disclosed that he had briefed Governor Seyi Makinde and other relevant authorities on the incident and that letters had been sent to the State Emergency Management Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency, and other stakeholders to facilitate possible interventions for the affected traders. The Ministry is exploring available state and federal assistance, engaging the relevant insurance company on behalf of the traders, and requesting affected business owners to submit their profiles and inventories of lost goods for proper documentation and assessment.
Adelabu identified illegal structures, shop extensions, and shanties obstructing access routes as major challenges to emergency response, noting that fire trucks experienced difficulty reaching some affected shops despite the prompt alert to the Fire Services Agency. He stressed that the Government would not tolerate unauthorized structures that compromise safety and accessibility within the complex. The Commissioner also raised concerns about some allottees renting out spaces to multiple traders without the Government's knowledge or approval.
The Commissioner announced plans for a panel of inquiry to investigate the latest incident and previous fire outbreaks, while the State Emergency Management Agency has been invited to inspect the affected shops. Proposals have been submitted to the Governor for consideration, including the removal of illegal structures, provision of fire extinguishers by traders within a specified timeframe, possible sanctions for non-compliance, and encouragement of insurance coverage for goods. Adelabu commiserated with the traders over their losses and thanked God that no life was lost in the incident.
At a meeting with traders whose shops were affected by the removal of illegal structures, Adelabu explained that the Bola-Ige International Business Complex was designed over four decades ago according to an approved master plan, which must be respected to ensure an orderly and functional business environment. He stated that structures erected on waterways, access roads, and other designated rights-of-way outside the approved layout had to be removed to restore proper access and improve emergency response.
The Government acknowledged that the demolished shops were constructed by the developer engaged for the development of the complex but explained that all structures and their locations must be assessed against the approved master plan to ensure that no development obstructs designated access roads, waterways, or other spaces meant for public use. Adelabu directed the affected traders to submit their valid allocation documents and other relevant records for verification and proper documentation, with a view to addressing genuine claims and determining appropriate alternative arrangements.
The Commissioner assured genuinely affected traders that the Government would consider providing alternative shops at appropriate locations within the complex, where their businesses could operate without obstructing access roads, waterways, or spaces designated for the free movement of vehicles. The Government remains committed to supporting the traders and ensuring a more orderly commercial environment in the complex. The exercise is ongoing and will cover all other illegal structures occupying inappropriate spaces across the complex.
Key points
- The Oyo State Government has pledged to provide support for fire victims at Biibco and to remove illegal structures that compromise safety and accessibility within the complex.
- The Government has proposed measures to prevent future incidents, including the provision of fire extinguishers by traders and possible sanctions for non-compliance.
- The Commissioner has assured affected traders that the Government will consider providing alternative shops at appropriate locations within the complex.
