Olu Samuel,Lokoja
The Kogi state government has acquired a 15 hectres parcel of land for the construction of an ultra modern market to replace the old Lokoja International market.
The land, located along Hassan Katsina road, zone 8 in Lokoja was officially handed over to the contractor SABC handling the project in Lokoja on Monday by the trio of works, Commerce Commissioners and the permanent Secretary , Bereau of Land and Urban Development,Bayegusi Taiwo who represented the Direc tor general.
The state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in his speech at the handing over ceremony on Monday, warned the contractor against poor job below the standard set by the state government.
“This is a project after the heart of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,the state Governor,we have also done due diligence and found ynjkkour company worthy to do the job to the specifications as spelt out in the contract documents handed over to you.
He said that the land has been acquired legally by breaking down all legal obstacles that may hinder smooth operation while construction work is going on.
Every single person, individual or corporate organization that have interest in the land have been settled and adequately compensated and so nobody will disturb workers in site while construction work is going on.
Responding,the consultant ,Abdulrazaq Adio promised that the company would deliver the project as scheduled and requested for cooperation of the supervising officials to enable his company delivery as scheduled and according to specifications.
He applauded the state government for carrying out due diligence and finding the SABC worthy to carry out the project and promised not to disappoint.
The Lokoja international market along Nataco junction in Lokoja is along the ever busy Lokoja/Abuja road which serves as gateway between the Eatern, Southern and Western parts of the country.
The frequently recorded accidents along that corriordor may have informed the decision of the state government to decide on moving the market to the new location.