Bauchi to Construct 648 shops capacity Ultra Modern Market in Azare
Samuel Luka, Bauchi
Bauchi state government has awarded contract for the construction of no fewer than 648 shops capacity Ultra Modern Market in Azare, the headquarters of Katagum local government area in the state.
Governor Bala Mohammed made this known Saturday during the ground breaking ceremony of the project at its site in Azare town, Katagum LGA.
According to him, the market which was burnt in a fire disaster five years back is to be constructed in collaboration between the state government and Messrs Modern Shelter System and Services Limited under Public Private Partnership (PPP).
“Today’s occasion marks a milestone in the economic development of not only Katagum Local Government but Bauchi State at large”, the governor said.
Bala further noted that since the present administration under him came on board in 2019, it has been making effort to find ways and means of revitalizing and diversifying the economy of the State.
He said such effort has been necessitated by the need for his administration to look inward to generate revenue in order to reduce dependence on the Federal allocation for the execution of government programmes and projects.
He said that the construction of the ultra-modern market is part of the deliberate policy of his government to improve the economic fortune of Bauchi State.
The Governor hinted that the Azare Central Market, Bauchi Central Market and Muda Lawal Market have been identified for upgrading to ultra-modern market status.
He maintained that the upgrading of the markets would be done on public private partnership basis, explaining that private firms would execute the project, with the State Government’s equity being the land on which the projects would be executed.
Bala said by doing so, it will allow the government to concentrate on other areas such as health, education and security.
Governor Bala pointed out that the Azare market would be reconstructed in two phases.
“The first phase contains 648 shops, comprising lock-up shops, open stalls, warehouses, poultry section and cold rooms”, Bala further said.
He added that the project will also contain the provision of fire service and security outpost, among others.
Earlier speaking, Managing Director of Messrs Modern Shelter System and Services Limited, Abdulmalik Mahdi, thanked the governor for awarding the contract to his Organization.
He promised to commence work on the site project with immediate effect, adding that when constructed, the market will create job opportunities for the people of the area and boost the economy of the state generally.