Appraisal of Market Structure: An Empirical Study of Aleshinloye Market, Ibadan, Nigeria

Market influences the economy form and structure of urban communities which makes it an integral part of any state or country. The study focuses on the appraisal of the Market Structure of Aleshinloye Market, Ibadan, Nigeria. The primary data used were sourced from Coordinates with the aid of GPS to know spatial distribution of facilities, administering questionnaires to traders in the market, and direct observation. Direct count from Google Earth Imagery of the study area revealed that it consists of 274 buildings which comprises of 2,806 lockup shops and 997 open stalls, a convenient sample size of 3% of the shops were considered, which amount to 114 respondents. Questionnaire distribution follows the capacity ratio of the types of shops (lockup shop and open stall). Multistage sampling technique was used by first stratified into zones after which systematic random sampling was used for administering questionnaire to respondents. Two indices were developed: ‘Facility Availability/Adequacy Index’ (FAI) and ‘Facility Functionality Index’ (FFI); these were used to measure the availability/adequacy and functionality of the facilities in Aleshinloye market. The study observed that ‘Shop and stall’ have the highest FAI of 4.19, while drainage, toilet and security have the FAI’s of 4.15, 4.10 and 3.97 respectively. In terms of functionality, Shop and stall (FFI=4.12), road (FFI=4.03), drainage (FFI=4.00) and security (FFI=3.95). The Nearest Neighbour Analysis indicates that the spatial distribution pattern of facilities in Aleshinloye market is random.The study concluded that medical facility like the Primary Health Center which is absent should be made available, in case of an emergency. Market users and stakeholders should engage themselves in community development programs to maintain available facilities. Also, signage should be erected in strategic places for navigation. On-street sellers and hawkers who display their goods on the road should be encouraged to purchase stalls to avoid encroaching into the right of way. A number of stall was located nearly directly under high tension electrical wires which negate planning set back standard. A better method for waste disposal should be devised and burning during market hours should be prohibited.


Introduction
Market is a subset of the economy which influences the form and structure of urban communities (Adeleye et.al, 2006). Its presence in any town or city is suitable for economic foundation (Fakere et.al, 2012). Market plays a significant role in the lives of citizens and an integral part in any state or country. By its nature, it adds to the economic development of settlements no matter their location, size or category (Owoye, 2014).
Different scholars have ascribed definitions to a market. To Anderson (2001), Omole et al (2007) market is an institution which permits socio-economic interactions of people at a particular point in time, or which may be referred to as a frame work of exchange. It is a medium through which goods and services are exchanged to the terminal consumer, Lipsey (1963). Pindyck (2012) defined it as collection of buyers and sellers which through their actual or potential interactions determines the price of a product or set of products. In the view of Callon (2003), market was defined as a place for actualizing economic desire through exchange of goods and services. While Shaikh (2020) defined market as a platform where commodities are bought and sold at retail or wholesale prices.
The common factor among these definitions is that, there must be a platform where exchange of goods and services between the seller and buyer takes place. These factors, according to Omole (2002), make market a manmade feature built up for the utilization of man. Market is beyond physical location; its essentiality cannot be underestimated in the chain of commodity distribution. This makes it an important element of the society because it enhances economy development of its location. Daramola et.al (2017) posited that there are two types of market in Nigeria; these are conventional and modern. Variation, in terms of structures, is a major parameter to distinguish them. Owoeye (2014) added that market is a critical socio-economic and political establishment which mirrors the degree of money-related activities and prospering in the appropriation of the economy. Fakere et.al (2012) opined that proper siting and planning of markets, projects the image of the city. Gikandi (2013) asserted that not all markets are made equivalent. Some are greater and greatly preferred and increasingly rewarding over others. Shaikh (2020) itemized the following as essential characteristics of a market: one commodity, area, buyers and sellers, perfect competition, business relationship between buyers and sellers, perfect knowledge of the market, one price, sound monetary system, and presence of speculators. Market systems are dynamic; they are competitive and involve continuous transformation and upgrading, Omotoye-Omisore et.al (2016). This connotes that market operates on different modalities which forms the characteristics of such market. Andrian (1998), observes that consumption of services in the market by the consumers is influenced by buyers' characteristics. The buying behavior is influenced by cultural, social, personal and psychological factors. Other variables like price, availability, quantity and effectiveness of the promotion by the service providers also affect the consumption of a service in the market. Market attributes entail the following: types of market, types of product, period of operations (daily or periodic), size, proximity to buyer, variety of products, among others.
Market structure can be defined as the arrangement of utilities which aid transaction between buyers and sellers in the market. It is also hierarchical and possesses other characteristics of a market in a physical environment. It measures situations of things in the market in terms of availability, adequacy and functionality of facilities that make up the market.
Market structure is characterized as the intertwined attributes or component of a market; such as the number, similar quality and strength of facilitators (purchasers and dealers) and the level and types of rivalry, basic factors, degree of item separation, and simplicity of movement in and out from the market in a particular physical environment. Market structure alludes to the nature and degree of rivalry in the market, situated in a particular geographical location for products and services. The structures of market for both merchandise and services are determined by the extent of competition in a particular market. It is against this backdrop the research aims to appraise Aleshinloye market's structure.

Methodology
Aleshinloye market is one of the largest modern markets in Ibadan, located in Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo state. It serves a wide range of costumers as they visit from far and neighboring communities to purchase goods and services. This research utilized both primary and secondary data for the purposes of achieving its objectives.
The primary data includes: taking GPS coordinates of the facilities in the study area to know their spatial distribution, administering questionnaires limited to traders in the market, and direct observation to ascertain the state of facilities in the study area.
The secondary data involves acquisition of data through existing satellite imagery and archives. The Ikonos image of the study area was downloaded with 10m resolution and sourced for the year 2019.
Direct count with the aid of Google Earth Imagery of the study area revealed that it consists of 274 buildings, which according to study conducted by Daramola et.al (2017), revealed that it has 2,806 lockup shops and 997 open stalls to make a total of 3,803 shops. Multistage sampling technique was used. The study area was first stratified into zones based on the type of shops (i.e lockable shops and open stalls), after which systematic random sampling was used for administering questionnaire to respondents at interval of 5th shop, of those who were willing to respond. Collected data were analyzed using both descriptive statistical methods such as frequency counts and Likert's Scale. Two indices were developed: 'Facility Availability/Adequacy Index' (FAI) and 'Facility Functionality Index' (FFI) were used to measure the availability/adequacy and functionality of the facilities in Aleshinloye market.

Socio-economic Attributes of the Respondents
The socio-economic parameters helped to x-ray the attributes of the respondents. More than half (55.3%) are female while 44.7% are male. This partly agrees with the assertion of Aina (1998) in terms of proportion, but not figures; that women accounts for bulk of the informal sector of which market is one.
For age distribution, 18years was set as the benchmark as it was assumed to be the dependent age in Nigeria; those between the ages of 36-50years and above, have the same proportion of 37.7%, while those between 18-35years account for 24.6%.
On marital status, bulk of the respondents (61.4%) are married, while those who are single, widow/widower and divorced accounts for 23.7%, 10.5% and 4.4% respectively.
Ample of the respondents are educated as half of them have Secondary education, those with primary and tertiary represent 33.3% and 7.9% respectively. This pegged the illiteracy level of the study area at 8.8%.
The location of the market influenced the ethnicity representation as (57.0%) are Yoruba, while Igbo and Hausa accounts for 36.0% and 7.0% respectively.
At the moment, the new minimum wage in Nigeria is pegged at ₦30,000. Those earning monthly average income above ₦50,000 account for 43.0% and between ₦30,000-₦50,000 represent 34.2%, while those earning below ₦30,000 account for 22.8%. Type of goods sold and level of patronage as a result of competitors can be an influencing factor for this.
Duration or years of trading in the market is of utmost importance to measure the amount of knowledge respondents have about the study area. Half of the stall owners have been in the market for a period of 5-10years, followed by those above 10years (34.2%) and less than 5years (15.8%).

Market Characteristics
Majority of the respondents agreed that the study area is a modern market where goods like plastics, paints, clothing materials, building construction materials, raw food, fruits, etc, are being sold. It is being managed by the government, it opens daily for transaction; there are presence of facilities to aid its functionality and people pay to access some of these facilities like toilet, parking space etc, which amount is pocket friendly. Other facilities are free.
There is a variation in the proximity to facilities from respondents' stores. This is influenced by the type of facility and its location. Distance however influence the utilization of facilities, which affirmed "Range" in Christaller (1966) "Central Place Theory" as the distance people are willing to travel to access a service. Those who walk 10-20m to access facilities close to their shops represents 45.6% , while those who walked less than 10m and above 20m account for and 43.0% and 11.4% respectively.
Since the market is being managed by the State government, some facilities ought to be free as part of social service. Bulk of the respondents' (65.8%) revealed that they are willing to pay for facilities they are enjoying for free if it demands they do. Environmental design should be inclusive in nature; most shops are on ground floor, which makes it more accessible to People with Disabilities (PWDs) and Children, and this was affirmed by overwhelming proportion of the respondents (72.3%). On measuring the patronage rate of the facilities, 35.0% posited that they patronize the facilities 'very often', while those who patronize 'not often' and 'not at all' have the same proportion of 32.5%.
Signage is essential for easy identification of facilities; more than half (69.7%) of the respondent said there is nothing of such, location identification are being made by inquiry.
Waste pollution is the most common environmental challenge in the study area as affirmed by 75.8% of the respondents. Market activities tend to generate large amount of waste. MTN donated a recycling complex, dump site showed in Plate 1 was spotted less than 20m to the structure, and this reflects dead state of the donated facilities or poor enforcement of sanitation regulation by stakeholders.
There is no much disparity between those who attest that the general state of the market is 'good' and 'very

Functionality of Facilities
Functionality of facilities adds value to market transactions, people can resolve to available alternatives if their needs are not met. Facility Functionality Index (FFI) was measured from the perception of the respondents.
Shop and stall have the highest FFI of 4.12. This was followed in descending order by road, drainage and security with FFI's value of 4.03, 4.00 and 3.95 respectively. Toilet and Parking space have the same FFI value of 3.89. These facilities have a value above the mean of the study at 3.76.
Water supply is not functioning as it has a FFI of 3.60 with negative deviation of -0.16 from the mean; example is the borehole shown in Plate 2. Respondents at close proximity affirmed that the facility is not functioning. This was followed by waste disposal with FFI of 3.58.
Respondents affirmed that hydrant is not available, but there is a Fire station in the market in which its functionality is questionable due to activities happening around the facility as shown in Plate 3. Healthcare has the least FFI value of 2.97 with negative deviation of -0.79 from the mean

Recommendations
For more functionality on the identified challenges of Aleshinloye market, action should be taken on the provision of a medical facility like the Primary Health Center in case of an emergency, due to the number of stalls. Signages should also be erected in strategic places for navigation and easy access to goods and services. Besides, conveniences should be open and made available to store owners and customers to curb open defecation and pollution.
Market users and stakeholders should engage themselves in community development programmes to maintain available facilities. This will encourage the government to provide more assistance, thereby encouraging on-street sellers and hawkers who display their goods on the road to purchase stalls to avoid encroaching into the right of way. Stalls that are located nearly directed under high tension electrical wires which negate planning set back standard and pose as a threat to human lives and property should be looked into and relocated.
Some stalls that are not in good conditions should be repaired and leased out for its use to be fully maximised. To curb burning during market hours, a better method of waste disposal should be devised.
Furthermore, boreholes should be evenly distributed, to grant market users smooth access to it; because the shops are in wings. Adequate parking facilities should be provided to reduce on-site parking as this will enhance free flow of movement for both the buyers and the sellers. Lastly, government should intervene and provide water trucks and hydrants for rapid response in case of an emergency.

Conclusion
This study appraised the structure of Aleshinloye market in Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. The study established that market structure is more than being a commercial land use; it also plays a significant role in the development of a nation. Further interrogation with the market women and stall owners revealed that customers travel from far and near to purchase goods and services from the market due to the quality of products and ventures it provides.
Due to the mixed ethnicity in the market, there exist social integration and interaction between people of different tribes, which has fostered trust and relationship between sellers and buyers. Howbeit, a market is not selfsustained; thus cannot function on its own. Government should assist stall owners in renovating dilapidated and damaged facilities, for adequate functionality. On the background that sanitation is a civic responsibility, government should enforce existing environmental sanitation regulations in order to sanction stall owners with environmentally deviant behaviors. If the recommendations of this research are well utilized, the market will experience a new trend as against its present state in relation to the market structure and physical settings.