We’ll demolish all markets on major road corridors, FCT minister insists

MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, on Tuesday, insisted that all markets on FCT major road corridors would be demolished.

He made this disclosure when he led top management staff to the demolished Gosa market on Abuja Airport highway.

Malam Bello, who had earlier held a meeting with all stakeholders in his office before the visit to the market, also set up a committee to saddle with the responsibilities of bringing normalcy to the community, assuring the traders and villagers that open markets would still be allowed in the communities to function as it was customary to operate open markets.

He said it has been agreed that all roads on major road corridors, especially on Abuja airport highway would be relocated gradually, while that of Gosa would be immediate.

The minister, therefore, showed the stakeholders the location of the new Gosa market, therefore, the traders to move into the new location. He said the old market has to go because it has spilled into the road, causing nuisance and danger to road users and traders.

Malam Bello then instructed community leaders to take ownership of the markets, provide adequate security and ensure enforcement so that traders do not encroach on roads anymore.

Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abdullahi Adamu Candido assured that they have agreed with the community to protect the road corridors to ensure that they don’t cause nuisance on the roads.

He assured that AMAC would not collect taxes or any kind of levy on the new market till the market stabilizes in the near future.

On his part, Chief of Gosa market, Mr. Wakili Estiphanus, expressed satisfaction over the FCT administration’s decision to relocate them not far from their hitherto trading place.

He disclosed that basically, twice a week, people from within FCT and neighbouring states carryout trading activities during market days, which are Mondays and Fridays.

ALSO READ: FG ’ll upgrade all Agro services centers facilities ―FCT Minister

According to him, “we’re happy with the relocation to the new site, what we are concerned with now is the clearing. The FCT minister has assured us that between tomorrow (today) and next, the place will be cleared, to enable us move in.

“And if the place is cleared, we will be eager and excited to move to there, and continue our trading activities,” he stated.

It will be recalled that the demolition of the market ignited a demonstration, on Monday, which resulted into blockage of ever-busy Abuja Airport expressway for more than four hours, thereby, subjected the travellers on serious hardship.