Al-Makura Flags Off Construction Of N1Bn Neighborhood Market In Lafia.

Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura

Nasarawa state governor, Umaru Tanko Almakura, has inaugurated the construction of the neighborhood market worth N1 billion in Lafia to rid state capital of street traders and boost commercial activities.

Al-Makura, told newsmen shortly after inspecting the site of the project that the market which is expected to have over 1,000 shops would be a modern multi-purpose facility that would cater for all categories of traders, especially petty traders.
”This market will be dedicated to very small and vulnerable traders who spread their wares on the road to get a more habitable place dedicated to their trade to do business,” Al-Makura said.He explained that the project would be handled by indigenous contractors and stakeholders at the cost of about N1 billion with a completion period of Six months.
He added that the the construction of the neighborhood market at the centre of the town would go a long way to ease the hardship faced by the residents of Lafia in trying to access the new modern market situated some kilometres away.
According to him, the owners of the structures at the demolished old central market neighborhood market is sited have been identified with the view to compensate them.
He said the neighborhood market would have wide access roads within and all necessary facilities of a modern market including toilets and parking lots.
recalled that the Nasarawa state government on August 7, 2015 relocated traders from the Lafia central market to the new modern market located some kilometres away from the city centre.
The state government had cited congestion and poor sanitary condition at the old central market as reasons for the relocation of traders and subsequent demolition.