Governor Ododo hands over site for the construction of new ultra modern market in Kogi

By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja

Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo on Monday handed over the site for the construction of the Lokoja Ultra modern market at the Crusher axis of the state capital, to the construction firm, Sazaz Acres Biloque Company, (SABC) Limited.

Handing over the site the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Taiye Abanika accompanied the Commissioner of works, Engr. Muhammed Ahovi Yusuf, said the need for the new market in line with the determination of the governor to urbanize the state and make it more friendly to investment.

According to Abanika, the project which is would be executed on 25 hecters of land, is expected to be completed in 36 months with modern facilities to drive development in the state.

He said the state placed value for money, hence the conduct of due diligence on the construction company, SABC Limited, to determine it capability in executing a job of that magnitude, before the contract was awarded.

“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 spead 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

Speaking also, the Commissioner of works, Engr. Muhammed Ahovi Yusuf, charged the company to do quality job by adhering strictly to the drawings and specification as contained in the Bill of quantity, warning that the government will not condone any substandard job

He noted that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to the urbanization of the state and opening up of the rural areas and bring Dr envelopment closer to the people.

Also speaking on the project, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the project is the last leg of the Lokoja Urban Renewal Project (LURP).

According to him, the administration of Alh. 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 previous administration succeeded in having a single motor park for the capital city which is quite commendable.

“The Ododo Administration is also committed to ensuring that all the 7 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”.

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”, he said, maintaining that “the model will be copied by many other States”.

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.

Speaking after the hand over of the contract documents, the construction company promised to adhere strictly to the contractual agreement and do a quality job

Abdulrazaq Aliyu, who spoke on behalf of the management of the company, 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 with the specified Period of 36 months.

“We are my not just in the state to build only the market. But through the quality of our job, we believe the will be motivated to give us other jobs. We are hoping that after this job, our firm would become the number choice of the state in future projects execution.

The high point of the ceremony is the presentation of the contract papers to the company by the representatives of the governor, while the contractor rolled out their equipment to commence work immediately.