Edo Govt. to build clinics, crèches in markets

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has said that his administration would build functional clinics and crèches in markets in the State.

Obaseki said this after he made an on-the-spot assessment of facilities at the Oba market in Benin on Friday.

The governor, displeased with the decayed toilets, non-functional clinics and poor power supply at the market, promised to revive and create such facilities across markets in the state.

“The provision of clinics in markets will help to take healthcare closer to traders who spend most of their time in the markets.

“I have seen and inspected a space designed for clinic in Oba market; I will clean up the space and put a primary healthcare clinic to cater for the health needs of traders and their children.

“I will also establish crèches to allow for proper care of children who accompany their mothers, who are traders to the market”, he said.

The governor frowned at trading on the streets and walkways saying that it was totally unacceptable to his administration.

He said his administration would investigate why people preferred to trade along walkways and in front of the markets while there were empty stalls inside the markets.

The governor added that drastic action would be taken to stop the trend.

Traders at the market commended the governor for the inspection.

Some of the traders told the governor that street trading in front of the market affected the sales of other traders inside the market negatively.

They said that there were lots of empty stores in the market but were not occupied due to the high cost being charged.

The traders appealed to the governor to stop street trading and refurbish facilities in the market.