Lokoja International Market to Create Jobs, Says Ododo »

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has said the ongoing construction of the Lokoja International Market will create employment opportunities, boost commercial activities and strengthen trade relations between Northern and Southern Nigeria.

Ododo made this known on Friday during an inspection of the Lokoja International Ultramodern Market project, where he expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of construction work.

The governor said the market was strategically located to take advantage of Kogi State’s position as a major link between the northern and southern parts of the country.

According to him, the facility will provide opportunities for traders travelling between both regions to exchange goods, establish business relationships and explore investment opportunities.

He explained that the Lokoja International Market was designed to serve traders and investors within Nigeria and beyond, positioning the state as a commercial destination.

Ododo said the decision to construct a new market was also informed by safety concerns and the need to provide a more organised trading environment.

He noted that the existing market location had become inadequate and exposed traders and residents to the risk of road accidents.

The governor assured that the future use of the old market would be determined through consultations with relevant stakeholders after the completion of the new facility.

Speaking on the economic benefits of the project, Ododo commended the indigenous contractor for engaging local professionals and providing employment opportunities for young people.

He said the deployment of workers and construction equipment demonstrated the project’s contribution to job creation and the promotion of local expertise.

The governor also assured the contractor that the state government would fulfil its financial obligations to maintain the pace of construction.

Ododo further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting infrastructure development across states, describing the Federal Government’s intervention as significant to ongoing development efforts in Kogi.

Responding to critics of the Federal Government, he urged them to visit the state and assess the projects being executed.

“This is not AI. You can see the machines working and human beings working. This is real. This is Kogi State, and this is Mr President,” Ododo said.

Earlier, the Project Supervisor of SABC Construction Limited, Lamidi Lasisi, assured the governor that the company remained committed to delivering the project within the agreed timeline.

Lasisi disclosed that the Lokoja International Market would feature warehouses, a clinic, a bank, a fire station, loading and offloading facilities, market halls and other essential infrastructure.

He explained that the facilities were designed to accommodate current commercial activities and future trading demands.

The project supervisor said construction was scheduled for completion by June, expressing confidence in the company’s ability to meet the deadline.