Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the Department of Development Control of the FCTA to commence the demolition of structures obstructing roadways at the Kugbo International Market in Kugbo.
Wike issued the directive during an inspection tour of the ongoing construction at Kugbo International Market, as well as the site designated for the new Ministry of Livestock Development in the Central Business District.
The Minister explained that the market is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Abuja Investment Company (AICL), an agency of the FCT Administration, and a private firm, Mesotho Group Limited. He emphasized that an investment of this scale should be encouraged.
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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.
“The Development Control Director is here and has been ordered to immediately move in with his men to demolish whatever is an obstacle”.
He also encouraged Mesotho Group to allocate additional funds to ensure the timely 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.
“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”.
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.
“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”.
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The Minister emphasized that the Kugbo International Market would generate numerous employment opportunities for residents and boost the local economy.
He noted that the market would also contribute to the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s efforts to reduce road congestion by encouraging traders to move their businesses off the streets and into the market.
Wike insisted that the pricing of the shops should not be a barrier for traders, stating that the FCTA, in collaboration with the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL), would work with investors to ensure fair shop prices in the market.
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.
“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”.
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