Wike okays Kugbo market, says 1st phase ready for commissioning

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Wednesday, inspected the Kugbo International Market being developed by Mesotho Group Limited, commending the level of work done so far at the market. The minister, who commended the investor, said the 1st phase of the market had been completed and that necessary arrangements would be put in place to commission […]

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Wednesday, inspected the Kugbo International Market being developed by Mesotho Group Limited, commending the level of work done so far at the market.

The minister, who commended the investor, said the 1st phase of the market had been completed and that necessary arrangements would be put in place to commission it.

“This is an investment that should be encouraged, as an international market of this standard. There are a lot of problems, there is encroachment, and I have directed the Development Control to immediately demolish anything that will cause an impediment. This is a road corridor, and we will not allow that, and the Development Control Director is here, he has been ordered to move in with his men to demolish whatever is an obstacle.”

The minister expressed confidence that the market would accommodate many traders by the roadside, decongest the roads and create employment opportunities.

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‘’The market speaks for itself.  First of all, we have a market that will create a lot of employment for people, and people will carry out economic activities. Again, it will decongest the roads where you see everybody taking the road as a market. ‘’Anybody who is coming to the market will say ‘I am going to Kugbo International Market’, whether it is in terms of manufacturing, whether it is in terms of other things. So, there are so many advantages, it will boost economic activities, it will boost the development of the government. More importantly, it will create a lot of employment. That is what is key to us, employment and jobs.’’

The minister advised the investor to put in more money to finish the market on time.

‘’Again, the investor should as a matter of fact, see that he puts in more funds to see the dualization of the entire market. I have asked him when he thinks the whole thing will be ready, and he has said we should give him till January. However, the first phase has been completed, we would therefore see what we can do to see that we open the first phase, and some of these our traders on the road have to come in here and give a free traffic that we deserve.’’

Earlier, the project developer and the Managing Director Mesotho Group Limited (MGL), Jerry Joseph Damara, said the market was equipped with best facilities including banks, security outpost, fire station, parking space, filling station, among others.

Mr Damara said the market would accommodate all categories of traders including the petty traders, informing that the first phase is ready for commissioning.

He commended the minister, Nyesom Wike, for his support and determination to ensure that the market began operation in the interest of the traders in the nation’s capital.