Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi state government has expended over two billion naira on the reconstruction of the Birnin Kebbi Central Market gutted by fire five years ago (23rd July, 2016).
Governor Atiku Bagudu announced this at the presentation of keys of newly renovated shops and stalls to their original owners in Birnin Kebbi, Monday.
Bagudu said the state government resolved to reallocate the new shops to the occupants prior to the fire disaster in the interest of social justice and fairness.
However, other interested persons are free to submit applications to the market management to receive fresh allocation after being subjected to due process and balloting.
The governor represented by the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, commended the traders for their patience and perseverance, saying that the long duration experienced in the reconstruction of the burnt market was to ensuring quality job in accordance with specifications.
So far, one thousand and fifty shops have been rehabilitated out of which three hundred and fifty of them were reallocated to their original occupants.
Already butchers, poultry marketers and allied products have since been resettled in new abode.
The governor cautioned the traders to observe sanitary and environmental measures as well as other safety stipulation.
In a remark, the Speaker House of Assembly, represented by the Chairman House Committee on Lands and Housing Hon. Habibu Labbo Gwandu commended Kebbi State Government for returning newly reconstructed stalls to their original owners and advised the traders to remain loyal to authorities and ensure that the shops are put to use with immediate effects.
In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Lands and Housing, Alhaji Malami Shekare was full of praise to Governor Atiku Bagudu for his support towards completion of the reconstructing the burnt market.
Similarly, the Chairman of Markets, Traders Association, Alhaji Umaru Dangura commended the Governor for redeeming his pledge to reconstruct the market stalls and for reallocating the shops to traders hitherto occupying them before the inferno.
He affirmed resolved of the trader to offering necessary cooperation an obedience to the government in the task of governance.
In vote of thanks, the Manager Central Market, Town Planner Aminu Umar pledged that traders would adhere strictly to rules and regulations in the management of the market.
