Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has directed the Department of Development Control of the FCTA to embark on the demolition of structures obstructing roads in the Kugbo International Market.
The minister gave the directive on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, during an inspection tour of the Kugbo International Market, which is under construction, as well as the structure proposed to house the new Ministry of Livestock Development in the Central Business District.
Wike, who said that the market was a public-private partnership project between the Abuja Investment Company, AICL—an agency of the FCT Administration—and Mesotho Group Limited, a private business organisation, also said a market of such magnitude was an investment worth encouraging.
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.”
The minister also urged the 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.
“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 less privileged traders and entrepreneurs under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister said: “We will do everything we can to support people. For those who have not indicated interest, we will see how, through the empowerment programme of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT, we can put in some funds by taking some stores and giving to our people for them to be involved in one trade or the other.
“So, we will do everything to see that people move into phase one of this market as quickly as possible. We are happy with what we have seen.”
Wike said that the Kugbo International Market will create a lot of employment opportunities for residents and improve the economy of the FCT. He 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.
He stressed that the cost of the shops should not be the reason for traders to sell on the roads.
“You don’t expect an investor to open up, and you move in for free. Nobody does that, and it should not be encouraged. That is not why I will allow people to trade on the road. The issue before was that there was no market. Now the 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,” Wike stated.
