Governor Mai Mala-Buni on Monday flagged off the construction of the N2.6 billion Nguru Modern Market, as part of the government’s drive to enhance trade and commerce in the state.

The governor on the occasion said N290 million had been approved for compensation to owners of structures demolished for the project.

“The driving process to make agriculture profitable can be achieved when we have a competitive market with traders coming from different states and neighboring countries.

“With this, farmers will have more value for their produce and that will impact positively on our economy,” Buni said.

The Nguru Modern Market was awarded to ADAF BML Nigeria Limited at a total cost of Two Billion, Six Hundred and Fourteen Million, Four Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand, Two Hundred Naira, Seven Kobo (N2,614,454,200.07k) with a completion period of 12 months. In addition, the sum of Two Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty-Five Naira, five kobo (N298,333,485.05k) has been approved for compensation of structures on the land for the proposed market and would soon be paid.

Buni has also flagged off the construction of the 16-kilometer Nguru-Bulanguwa Asphalt road and the construction of a 3.2-kilometer township road with corresponding 6.4-kilometer drainage.

The contract work for the construction of the Nguru-Bulanguwa road has been awarded to Messrs Faris Construction Company Nigeria Limited at the cost of One Billion, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Three Million, Eight Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Ten Naira Eighty-Six kobo (973,816,010:86) with a completion period of 12 months.

The contract for construction of the Nguru township road and drainage was awarded to Mother Cat Nigeria Limited at a total cost of Eight Hundred and Sixty-Three Million, Nine Hundred And Twenty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Six Naira, Seventy-Six kobo (N863,927,506.76k) with a completion period of six months.

Buni, therefore, charged the company to abide by the contract’s specifications and ensure completion within the stipulated time.

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Barma Shettima, said a 30 per cent mobilization fee had been approved for the contractor.

He said the market which would be built on a 6.5-hectare land and will have 505 shops of different sizes.

Shettima listed the inner structures of the market to include administrative block, mosque, refuse bank, perimeter wall, electricity, boreholes, drainage, and roads.

The commissioner noted that the market would provide job opportunities to youths and boost revenue generation.

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