By Muhammad Mukhtar Idris, Gabriel Patricia
The KGIRS Interim Management Committee Chairman, Honourable Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru Idris,
has reiterated the commitment of the State Government in ensuring that all exit points at the Lokoja International Market are expanded to serve the people of the State efficiently.
Honourable Mukadam who stated this on Monday, 12th of October, 2020, while commissioning the exit gate located at the back of the International Market, Lokoja, said that the government is looking inwards to revitalise the Market as well as position it to the desired standards.
According to him, commissioning the exit gate to be put into use will ease accessibility throughout the Market and will pave ways for reallocation of over one thousand shops that have been abandoned for years, adding that the reallocation will create more revenue bases for the Service.
The Interim Chairman tasked the Marketing Board, under the leadership of Mr. Odiba Danjuma, to collaborate with the Traders Union in the Market and with KGIRS to achieve maximum revenue generation.
He, however, assured that the Service will provide all the necessary support needed to achieve the feat aimed at improving the standard of the Market and its revenue generation capacity.
In his remarks, Mr. Danjuma Odiba mentioned that, recently, he has had series of meetings with the Market Union, adding that, before now, the Management of International Market was handled by Kogi State Savings and Loans before their take over after which it was discovered that there were a lot of unauthorised shops at the back of the Market.
While stating the importance of expanding the back exit for easy access, Odiba appealed for provision of adequate security in the Market including the provision of water, electricity and toilet for convenience.
Also in his remarks, Mr. Sanni Yunusa, the Assistant Chairman, Lokoja Market Traders Association, advised that Drivers who are fond of parking their vehicles on access roads in the Market should be discouraged.
The Honourable Commissioner, having listened carefully to the two leaders of the Market, emphasised that the Market should be segmented to enable people access items easily in the Market.
He urged the Market’s Management not to hesitate in seeking for assistance from the Service whenever the need arises.
He also encouraged them to work in unity promising to be back in two weeks time.