By Khalid Idris Doya Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has flagged off the construction of five new modern markets as part...
By Khalid Idris Doya
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has flagged off the construction of five new modern markets as part of his administration's economic transformation and urban renewal agenda.
The new projects include the New Wunti Market, New Furniture Market, New Vegetables Market ('Yan Gwari), New Fanteka Market (Bola Jari), and a New Grains and Herbal Market.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday at the project site along the Atiku Abubakar bypass road in Bauchi metropolis, Governor Bala described the initiative as a strategic and deliberate effort to reposition Bauchi as a thriving commercial hub in Northern Nigeria.
He explained that the development followed careful planning, data-driven assessments, and a clear vision to meet the demands of the growing population in the state.
According to him, Bauchi has experienced steady population growth over the past decade, resulting in increased demand for housing, healthcare, education, and commercial infrastructure.
"The markets constructed decades ago, though historic and once significant, can no longer meet the needs of our expanding urban and rural communities. The volume of wholesale and retail trade today far exceeds what existing infrastructure was designed to accommodate," he said.
Governor Bala noted that Bauchi has evolved from a quiet administrative town into a gateway of economic opportunity, attracting traders, transporters, and wholesalers from neighboring states.
He explained that congestion, roadside trading, poor sanitation, insecurity, and exploitation of traders had become common due to overstretched facilities. "When markets spill into highways and residential areas, they disrupt traffic, endanger lives, and diminish the dignity of commerce," he stated.
To address these challenges, the Governor said the state government established the Markets and Terminals Management Company (MTMC), a professional body mandated to assess market infrastructure across the state and develop an integrated modernisation plan.
He added that the initiative extends beyond Bauchi metropolis, noting that similar projects are underway in Azare and other fast-growing towns.
The comprehensive plan, according to him, goes beyond shop construction to include truck terminals, commercial vehicle parks, structured warehouses, and modern market facilities developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Governor Bala emphasised that the PPP arrangement reduces pressure on public funds while ensuring technical competence, financial capacity, and timely delivery of projects.
He announced that traders would be allowed to pay for their shops in four installments, with government subsidies to ensure affordability.
Reflecting on his administration's economic strategy, the Governor said stimulating both macro and microeconomic activity through strategic projects has created multiplier effects across sectors.
"Today, our labor market is vibrant. Artisans, masons, bricklayers, everyone has work to do. Agriculture is expanding. Mining aggregation centers are emerging. Small industries and logistics services are thriving. This is deliberate,' he said.
He assured traders that the new markets, once completed, would meet global standards, featuring structured layouts with access roads, fire safety systems and hydrants, drainage and sanitation infrastructure, adequate parking and loading bays, modern surveillance systems, and waste management facilities.
For his part, the Commissioner for Cooperatives and SMEs, Hon. Muhammad Sadeeq Hamisu Shira, described the project as the beginning of a new chapter in strengthening commerce and empowering small and medium enterprises in Bauchi State.
"This is not just a market; it is a symbol of progress, opportunity, and our unwavering commitment to economic transformation," he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Markets and Terminals Management Company, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Sizwe, commended the Governor for his sustained commitment to infrastructure development and economic growth.
He assured that MTMC would ensure transparency, professionalism, and lasting value for traders, transporters, entrepreneurs, and the broader community.
He described the initiative as a catalyst for improved productivity, organised trade, and sustainable economic transformation across the state.
No comments