Finally, Computer Village To Be Relocated To Kantagowa

By Akinwale Kasali

The relocation of the Popular Computer Village from Ikeja to Kantogowa is gradually becoming a reality.

For over a decade, there have been brickbats over the relocation of the popular Ikeja Computer Village, hub of phones, Computers and technological devices in Nigeria to Kantogowa Market at Oke Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

Successive administrations at the helm of affairs of the Lagos State Government had paid lip service to the relocation debate of the Computer Village which was mapped out and structured as a residential area before it became a commercial hub.

From the Administration of former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Babatunde Fashola Administration amd Akinwunmi Ambode Administration, it has always been the same old story.

But there seems to be a twist in the old norm, as the relocation of the market is becoming a dream come true.

The Coalition of Association in Computer Village (CACOVI) has launched the relocation campaign of the Computer Village to the N40 billion Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Business Park at Katangowa, Lagos.

The ceremony which began this week was in conjunction with Sterling Alternative Finance, Bridgeways, and the Lagos State Government.

The CACOVI President, Timi Famoroti, said the inauguration was to create awareness of the reality of the relocation of Computer Village to the new ICT Business Park.

Famoroti revealed that CACOVI members had unanimously agreed to move to a more conducive environment free of any intimidation, harassment, and aggression.

According to him, “We deserve an international market such as the ICT park which will give members the opportunity to own their shops.

“To the members, it is an investment and an opportunity to fly.

“This project happening now is not without challenges but as leaders, we are determined to give our members a very conducive environment for business.”

Corroborating Famoroti,  President of the Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association, PAPDA, Ifeanyi Akubue, said the members were ready to relocate but the financial muscle was the challenge.

Akubue added that the association’s leadership had decided that a bank be brought in for members to be able to have access to funds to finance their relocation.

He further noted that there was a need for members to work with the leaders of Computer Village so as to have access to funding from the bank which would run for seven years.

According to him, the association has taken into consideration all the needs before agreeing to the relocation especially with the State Government’s support.

Also,  President of the Association of Mobile Communications Device Technicians, AMCODET), Kehinde Apara, said the technician was the live stream of the ICT Business Park and as such eager to be a part.

Apara said that the event was an assurance of the reality of the project after so many years of speculation.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, Bridgeways Global Project Limited, Mr. Jimmy Onyemenam, said the relocation of Computer Village had been on for several years.

Onyemenam added that the event was to create more awareness of the reality of the relocation of Computer Village.

He further stated that there was a need for the launch because since the construction started, the associations at Computer Village were not officially informed that works had started on the site.

Kantogowa Market is a 15- hectare expanse of land located at the Agbado Oke-Odo CDA in Alimosho has been earmarked by the Lagos State Government for the relocation of Computer Village market.