Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State on Tuesday inaugurated the multi-million naira Moferere Market in Ondo town, with an explanation on why the state government is building markets for councils.
To him, the intervention is to help women achieve their aims of supporting their husbands and relatives in developing their families.
The opposition political parties in the state had criticised the state government for building markets, which they considered as the primary function of councils.
But the governor said the criticism was not justified as the building would enable women to get direct dividends of democracy from the government.
“We may need to ask the question, why is the government venturing into market reconstruction and renovation? Or why do we care so much for market women?
“My response is simple. Why not? Why should this long-neglected and overlooked segment of the population not be given at least a taste of the government they helped vote into office?
“Their sheer resilience in stimulating the local economy is a critical pillar on which the growth and development of our society is anchored.
“Why don’t they also deserve the modernisation touch that is fast becoming the defining landmark of our Urban Renewal programmes? Urban Renewal programme is a cardinal thrust of the present administration.
“The underlying goal is to precipitate a positive change through the transformation of our cities, towns and neighbourhoods with environmentally-friendly and culturally-sensitive projects and initiatives.”
Mimiko said the market was built to deepen the unique legacy of hard work with a vital support of government – provision of aesthetically-sound and modern market facilities.
The governor said the building and renovation of market was the least the government can do for women, restore the dignity of women traders, and reduce pandemic poverty in communities.
The wife of the governor, Mrs. Kemi Mimiko, distributed N15 million as loans to various market unions during the inauguration.
