The nation’s capital’s Gwagwalada Area Council hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for the Zuba Relief Market building, which was conducted by Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Speaking at the event, Mahmoud stated that the groundbreaking demonstrated the FCT administration’s dedication to providing citizens with essential infrastructure in accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister also described the project, under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, as a bold step by the FCT Administration through the Gwagwalada Area Council towards reducing the burden on funding through budgetary allocations.She revealed that the Zuba Modern Market was awarded to Khuntex Engineering Company Limited in December 2021, on a PPP agreement, to redevelop into a modern market.
The minister further added that the agreement was for the Area Council to provide unencumbered land while Khuntex Ltd would fund the total construction of the market.“To solve the protracted funding issue, the Gwagwalada Area Council decided to explore the private sector funding options as we are witnessing today, which leverages the utilisation of private sector in exchange for land as a resource for the redevelopement of the Zuba Modern Market, amongst other Public, Private, Partnership (PPP) initiatives,” she said.
Mahmoud while emphasising the importance of robust market infrastructure in rural areas, noted that such markets serve as the lifeline of countless communities by providing a platform for farmers and artisans to sell their produce and goods.She assured that through collaboration, the rural markets are equipped with modern facilities that would not only enhance the efficiency of agricultural value chains, but also empower rural entrepreneurs to access larger markets and attain better prices for their products.
The redevelopment of this Zuba modern market under public-private partnerships fosters economic resilience and social inclusion. It generates employment opportunities, enhances income levels, and promotes skill development among rural youth,” she said.
The chairman of the council, Hon. Abubakar Giri, identified the Zuba Modern Market as one of the major markets that would boost the revenue base of the Gwagwalada Area Council.Giri promised that other abandoned markets within the area council would be revived, even as he called on the contractor to complete the construction work within the stipulated period.The 618-shop Zuba Modern Market will consist of mixed units of open and lock-up shops, warehouses, eateries, banking halls, restaurants, police posts, fire stations, public toilets, bus loading bays, and other amenities in line with global standards.
