The FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has instructed the Department of Development Control (DDC) of the FCTA to immediately demolish structures that are obstructing roadways in the Kugbo International Market. This directive was issued during an inspection tour of the Kugbo International Market and the proposed building for the new Ministry of Livestock Development on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
The Kugbo International Market, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative between the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL), an agency under the FCTA, and a private business organization, Mesotho Group Limited, was praised by the minister. He emphasized the importance of encouraging investments of this magnitude, particularly in infrastructure that will benefit the public and economy.
“This is an investment that should be encouraged,” Wike said during the tour. “An international market of this standard, though there are issues like encroachment, requires our attention. I have directed the Department of Development Control to immediately demolish any structure that obstructs roadways or causes an impediment.”
He added, “As you can see, this is a road corridor, and we will not allow that. The Development Control Director is present, and I have ordered him to mobilize his team to remove whatever obstacle stands in the way.”
The minister also called on Mesotho Group Limited to inject additional funds into the project to ensure its timely completion. “The investor must, as a matter of urgency, invest more funds to ensure the realization of the entire market. I asked when the project would be completed, and they promised it would be ready by January,” Wike disclosed.
Although the first phase of the market has already been completed, Wike hinted at plans to expedite the opening of this phase to alleviate traffic issues caused by roadside traders. “The first phase is ready, so we’ll work on opening it soon. This will help bring traders off the roads, freeing up traffic, which is crucial for everyone,” he said.
As part of the federal government’s *Renewed Hope Agenda*, aimed at supporting vulnerable groups, Wike also expressed his administration’s intention to help less privileged traders acquire shops in the market. “We will do everything we can to support people. For those who haven’t yet indicated interest, we will explore ways through our empowerment programs to allocate some shops to them so they can start a trade.”
The minister underscored the significance of the Kugbo International Market in creating employment and improving the FCT’s economy. He further stressed the importance of regulating shop prices to ensure fair access for traders while not undermining the private investor’s efforts.
“You cannot expect an investor to open a market and let people use it for free. No business works like that, and it shouldn’t be encouraged,” Wike remarked. However, he assured traders that the FCTA, through the AICL, would work closely with the investor to ensure that the cost of the shops is affordable and fair. “We will ensure that while the investor makes a return, no one is priced out of the opportunity to trade in the market. The AICL will negotiate fair terms with the investor, and if necessary, the FCTA will invest to help ease the financial burden on traders.”
The minister also tackled the issue of traders who continue to sell their goods by the roadside, warning that with the market now available, selling on the road would no longer be tolerated. “The problem before was that there was no market for traders, but now we have a market. People cannot use the cost of shops as an excuse to sell by the roadside. That is unacceptable,” Wike stated firmly.
During the same inspection tour, Wike also assessed a nine-story building in the Central Business District, which has been earmarked for refurbishment to serve as the new headquarters of the Ministry of Livestock Development. This move, he said, was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, which underscores the importance of establishing the new ministry quickly.
“The refurbishment of this building is considered an emergency,” the minister disclosed. “President Tinubu has directed us to begin work immediately, and we will do so. The most important thing is that we have conducted an integrity test on the building, and everything checks out. We are now working to find the most responsive bidder to handle the project.”
According to Wike, work will begin soon, and once completed, the Ministry of Livestock Development will take full ownership of the building. He reiterated the urgency of the project, emphasizing the ministry’s role in advancing the agricultural sector and improving food security across the country.
Wike’s inspection tour was attended by key officials from the FCTA and other stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, the Managing Director of Abuja Investment Company Limited, Ambassador Maureen Tamuno, and the management team of Mesotho Group Limited.
The FCT Minister’s visit marks a significant step toward the realization of two major projects – the Kugbo International Market and the new Ministry of Livestock Development – both of which are expected to contribute to economic growth, job creation, and the overall development of the FCT.
