FCT MINISTER INSPECTS PROPOSED BUILDING FOR NEW MINISTRY OF LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT AND THE KUGBO INTERNATIONAL MARKET
- …DIRECTS DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES ON ROAD WAYS IN KUGBO INTERNATIONAL MARKET
- …DISCLOSE PLAN TO COMMENCE PROVISION OF BUILDING FOR NEW LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY
1. The FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has directed the Department of Development Control of the FCTA to embark on the demolition of structures obstructing road ways in the Kugbo International Market in Kugbo district of the FCT.
2. The Minister gave the directive on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, during an inspection tour of the Kugbo International Market under construction as well as the structure proposed to house the new Ministry,,13"_&& of Livestock Development in the Central Business District.
3. Barrister Wike who said that the Market was a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the Abuja Investment Company (AICL) – an agency of the FCT Administration- and a private business organisation – Mesotho Group Limited also said a market of such magnitude was an investment worth encouraging.
4. He said, “This is an investment that should be encouraged. An international market of this standard. Though there are a lot of problems, there is encroachment, but I have directed the Department of Development Control to immediately demolish any structure that will cause an impediment. As you can see, this is a road corridor, and we will not allow that.
5. “The Development Control Director is here and has been ordered to immediately move in with his men to demolish whatever is an obstacle”.
6. The Minister also urged Messrs Mesotho Group to invest more funds to ensure the completion of the project. He said, “The investor should as a matter of fact put in more funds to see to the realisation of the entire market. I have asked him when he thinks the whole thing will be ready and he said we should give him till January.
7. “However, the first phase has been completed. So, we will therefore see what we can do to open the first phase. And some of these our traders on the road have to come in here and give us the free traffic that we deserve".
8. Speaking on the possibility of acquiring shops for the less privileged traders and entreprenuers under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister said “We will do everything we can to support people. Those who have not indicated interest, we will see how, through the empowerment programme of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT, we can see if we can put in some funds by taking some stores and giving to our people in order for them to be involved in one trade or the other.
9. “So, we will do everything to see that people move into the phase one of this market as quickly as possible. We are happy with what we have seen”.
10.The Minister who said that the Kugbo International Market will create a lot of employment opportunities for residents and improve the economy of the Territory, added that the market will also assist in the road decongestion efforts of the FCTA by ensuring that traders leave the roadsides and conduct their businesses in the market.
11.Barrister Wike stressed that the cost of the shops should not be the reason for traders to sell on the roads and added that the FCTA through the AICL will work with the investors to ensure fair pricing of shops in the market.
12.He said, “You don’t expect an investor to open up and you move in for free. Nobody does that and it should not be encouraged. And that is not why I will allow people to trade on the road. The issue before was that there is no market. Now market has been provided and you are saying it’s the cost. Anyway, we will also not allow the investor to take advantage of that and people cannot afford it. No.
13.“The Abuja Investment Company will sit down with the investor and see what agreement can be reached. Even if it means putting our own stake to see that people get allocation here”.
14. Also fielding questions on the building proposed for the use of the Ministry of Livestock Development, the Minister said it was a directive from the President, to the FCTA for the refurbishment of the 9 storey building.
15.The Minister who said the refurbishment of the building was considered an emergency, added that with the directive from Mr President, work will commence immediately, and the new Ministry will take ownership upon completion.
16.He said, “First of all, we have told you that we are doing emergency work. We are bringing in some companies to look at it and then we will take the most responsive bidder to handle the project… the most important thing is that we have gone there, the integrity test is ok and work will soon start”.
16.Present at the tour was the Executive Secretary, FCDA. Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, the MD, Abuja Investment Company Limited, Ambassador Maureen Tamuno, and officials of the FCTA as well as the management of Mesotho Group Limited.
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