Janefrances Chibuzor
At Oluwo Modern Fish Market, nestled in the heart of Epe in Lagos State, women like Mrs. Ganiyat Adeola-Giwa, the market leader(Iya Loja) have built their livelihoods and fostered a sense of community through the fish trade. Despite the market’s thriving business and long history, the women here are now calling on the government for support as they face a host of challenges that threaten their continued success.
Adeola-Giwa, the second Iya Loja of the Epe terrestrial and aquatic hub, has seen it all. “I’ve been in this business for too long,” she stated, her voice tinged with both pride and concern. “I started in another market in the community before coming to this one in 1989, when the government completed the construction of this market. I took over the leadership from the first Iya Loja.” Since then, she has been a pillar of the market, ensuring that seafood, especially fish, continues to flow in and out of the area.
For Adeola-Giwa and other traders, fish is the main attraction. “Fish is what people eat the most,” she noted. “But it’s becoming more expensive, and that’s due to a range of factors that we cannot control.” From rising fuel prices to unreliable electricity, to the water hyacinth choking local waterways and delaying shipments, the costs of doing business are skyrocketing.
Fuel prices are a particular burden. Three years ago, 30 litres of fuel cost just 25,000 naira. Today, the same quantity costs 80,000 naira. “This has had a huge impact on our business,” she explains. “Fish has become more expensive, and it’s not just about the price at the market. We have to freeze the fish after we buy it, and that requires more fuel. Everything is more expensive now.” These increased costs, combined with poor electricity supply and water hyacinth blocking the waterways, make it difficult for the women to keep their businesses afloat. The impact is clear: business has slowed.
But there’s a deeper issue: government support. “We need help from the government,” Adeola-Giwa emphasises. “Soft loans are essential for us to survive and grow. The interest rates from private banks are too high, and they’ve caused harm to many of the women here. We need the government to support us with affordable loans and infrastructure to make our work easier.”
She also highlights another pressing issue: the water hyacinth, which is obstructing the waterways and making transportation of goods nearly impossible. “These water hyacinths block the canoes, sometimes for days,” she says. “It takes up to three days to get the canoes free from the leaves. That’s three days of delay and loss of fish.” She argues that this issue, along with the fuel prices and lack of electricity, is making the market less profitable.
Despite these obstacles, the women remain determined. “We’ve always supported the government by paying taxes and levies,” she noted. “We want them to support us in return. If we get loans, we are ready to repay them, and continue growing our businesses. If we repay, we’ll keep getting more support. We’ll keep paying back because we understand the importance of sustainability.”
Iyabo Aina, Secretary of the Oluwo Modern Fish Market, agrees with Adeola-Giwa’s call for government support. “We are more than 500 members in this market, and we need help,” she says. “If the government gives us small loans, it will ease the burden. We don’t want to stop working; we just need the tools and resources to continue.”
But Aina concerns don’t end there. “We also need support for the fishermen,” she added. “They need new nets and engines for their canoes to catch more fish. Without them, it’s difficult to supply us with what we need.” The market, she says, is heavily reliant on the fishermen who struggle daily with the water hyacinth. The government, she suggests, should step in to help clear the waterways and provide equipment to improve the supply of fish.
“We’re not asking for much,” Aina continued. “Just a little help with equipment and infrastructure. If the government helps with clearing the green leaves on the water, it will make a world of difference. It would be easier for the fishermen to get to us and deliver fresh fish.”
Omotolani Muritala, a fish seller in the market for over five years, echoed these concerns. “This business is lucrative, but it comes with challenges,” she said. “Sometimes the fishermen can be delayed for hours by the water hyacinth. They can be stuck for up to four hours, and sometimes they don’t even come at all.” The delays, she explained, lead to spoiled fish and losses for the sellers in the market. “The fish can’t last for days; they spoil, and we lose money,” she added, visibly frustrated.
The challenges of the business aren’t only about the fish; they also involve basic infrastructure. “We need light,” Muritala said “We sell late sometimes, and it’s difficult to do so without electricity. It affects our ability to serve customers and maintain our businesses.”
The market has faced difficulties, but it’s also earned recognition. Under Adeola-Giwa’s leadership, Oluwo Fish Market has been awarded for its contributions to local peace and community development. “We’ve been recognised. by international associations for our work,” she proudly states. “But to continue, we need government support.”
Berenex News report The message from these women is clear: They want to continue working and growing, but they need the government’s help to overcome the challenges they face. From soft loans to better equipment and infrastructure, they are calling for tangible support. They know that if their struggles are addressed, they will be able to build a stronger future for their families and the community.
“We don’t employ anyone here,” said Adeola-Giwa. “We create jobs for ourselves. Every trader owns their business. But we need the government to support us, so we can continue to create work, grow, and contribute to the community.”
As they celebrate International Women’s Day(IWD) this year with the campaign theme ‘Accelerate Action’ the women of Oluwo Modern Fish Market are hopeful that their voices will be heard. They have shown remarkable resilience and determination, but now they need the government to step in and help them tackle the challenges that threaten their livelihoods. “If the government helps us, we can continue to grow and repay what we owe,” Adeola-Giwa said. “We want to keep moving forward, but we need their support.”
Additionally, the transporters, Shafe and Segun, who help with the movement of goods on the river, have their own concerns. They stressed that the government should focus on clearing the grasses on the river. According to them, the water hyacinth blocks the river, disturbing movement and causing delays. “It’s becoming difficult to operate smoothly with all the green leaves on the water,” said Shafe. “The government should help clear these grasses so that we can transport goods faster and more efficiently.”
Segun agrees, emphasising the need for government intervention. “The hyacinth obstructs our boats and makes the job harder. If the government can clear the water, we’ll be able to work more effectively, and that will benefit everyone.”
These transporters, like the fish sellers, face a critical issue that is impeding the flow of business at the market. Together, they are calling for a collaborative effort between the government and local communities to address these challenges and support the fish trade in the region.
The situation at Oluwo Fish Market serves as a poignant reminder of the complex challenges faced by women in the market space. The women are asking for help, not just for themselves but for the entire ecosystem that supports their livelihoods. From the fishermen to the transporters, everyone has a role to play in ensuring the market’s continued success. By providing support in the form of affordable loans, better infrastructure, and assistance with clearing the waterways, the government has the opportunity to foster the growth of a vital sector in the local economy. If their calls are heard, these women could continue their invaluable work, creating jobs, contributing to the community, and ultimately building a stronger, more sustainable future.
