Kogi constructs new Ultra modern market, acquires 25 hectares of land
IDRIS AHMED, Lokoja
As part of effort to modernized Lokoja, the State capital, and attract investors for the rapid economic growth, Kogi State government has commenced construction of ultra modern international market.
The government has acquired a 25 hectare parcel of land for the project, along Hassana Usman Katsina road, Lokoja, as the present International market holding at NATACO junction, lacks space and prone to vehicular accidents in view of its proximity to the Lokoja — Abuja highway..
The frequent auto accidents along that corridor may be one of the reasons that influenced government’s decision to relocate the market to a safer and more convenient location.
The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Taiye Abanika ,who handed over the site to the Contractors, said the ultra-modern market was expected to be completed in 36 months fitted with modern facilities to drive development in the state.
“This is a project after the heart of Governor Usman Ododo. We have also done due diligence and found your company worthy to do the job to specifications, as spelt out in the contract documents handed over to you,” he said.
The commissioner added that the land had been acquired legally, adding that all legal obstacles that may hinder smooth construction work had been sorted.
“Every single person, individual or corporate organisation that has an interest in the land has been settled and adequately compensated. So, nobody will disturb workers on site while construction work is ongoing,” he assured the contractor.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Works, Muhammed Yusuf, charged the company to adhere strictly to the drawings and specifications as contained in the Bill of Quantity, warning that the government would not condone substandard jobs.
While Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Muhammed Shuaibu, said the market would become a commercial convergence point for traders across Nigeria, given the location of the state.
The consultant, Abdulrazaq Adio, of the Sazez Acre Bioloque Company (SABC) Limited, assured that the company would deliver the project as scheduled and sought for the cooperation of the supervising officials.
He lauded the state government for carrying out due diligence and finding the company worthy of carrying out the project and promised not to disappoint.
