Kogi State government on Monday kicked off the construction of a new ultra-modern market in Lokoja by handing over the project site to an indigenous construction firm, Sazaz Acres Biloque Company (SABC) Limited.
When completed, the new ultra-modern modern market located at Crusher area on Hassan Usman Katsina road will accommodate traders from all the seven small markets that are presently in different locations in Lokoja
The trio of Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Taiye Abanika, Commissioner for works, Engr. Muhammed Yusuf, and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Ahmed Mukthar handed the 25-acre project site to the contractor on behalf of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Abanika in his remarks said the handing over of the project signified the commencement of the construction of the international market by the state government.
The Commissioner said the contractor has been given 36 months within which to complete the project, insisting that the project must comply with specifications contained in the contract award documents.
He also urged the contractor not to betray the confidence reposed in him by the state government.
Abanika explained that government embarked on the construction of the new market in line with its determination to urbanize the state and make it more attractive to investors.
He said the present administration under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo placed premium on getting value for money, hence the conduct of due diligence before awarding the contract to SABC Limited.
“The governor placed high premium on the development of the state.
“The market will open up development in the area, create jobs for the people and as well speed up development in the confluence state.
“We have done due diligence on the company, to determine their capability and we found them capable.
“I therefore encouraged them to do a quality job in line with the specification contained in the contract papers
Also speaking, the Commissioner for works, Engr. Muhammed Ahovi Yusuf, charged the company to deliver high quality job by adhering strictly to the drawings and specification as contained in the bill of quantity.
He warned that government will not accept substandard job.
The Commissioner said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to the urbanization of the state and opening up of the rural areas and bring development closer to the people.
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Ahmed Mukthar also charged the contractor on the need to deliver a quality job.
Also speaking on the project, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the project is one of the Lokoja Urban Renewal Projects (LURP).
According to him, the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to ensuring that Lokoja looks like a 21st century state capital.
“Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to ensuring that we have a capital city that is safe, beautiful and ready for business.
“The Ododo Administration is also committed to ensuring that all the seven smaller markets in Lokoja are brought under one roof through the new Lokoja Ultra Modern Market.
“This will help us in having a cleaner and safer Lokoja.
“Those who conceived the International Market didn’t know that Lokoja will grow this big and become Nigeria’s connecting point.
“We have recorded a lot of accidents and Nigerians have lost so many loved ones because it was located at the intersection of two major roads.
“The Kogi State Government will move all the markets to the new Ultra Modern Market and convert the present International Market to Government Warehouses and Commodity Exchange Commission,” he explained
Fanwo said the Government of Kogi State is ready to leverage the strategic location of the state for maximum commercial benefits, saying the Ultra Modern Market will turn Kogi to the commercial hub of Nigeria when completed.
“It’s not like the normal market that Nigerians are used to. The model will be copied by many other states,” Fanwo boasted.
He urged traders across Lokoja and its environs not to nurse any fear as the government will ensure a “smooth transition to the new market when completed.”
“Governor Ododo is truly a servant of the people.
“He is already planning how a smooth transition to the new market will be achieved without taking a negative toll on the traders,” he said.
Mr Abdulrazaq Aliyu, who spoke on behalf of the contractor assured that the project would be delivered within the specified Period of 36 months
“We want to assure the Kogi state government that we are going to work within the context of the contractual agreement.
“We will deliver the job within the specified Period of 36 months.
“We are not just in the state to build only the market but through the quality of our job, we believe government will be motivated to give us other jobs.
“We are hoping that after this job, our firm would become the number one choice of the state in future projects execution,” he said. (vitalnewsngr.com)
