Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto has promised to embark on the reconstruction of the burnt portion of the Sokoto Central Market.
The governor made the promise while receiving the report of a committee set up to investigate the contract awarded by the past administration for the reconstruction of the central market.
According to the governor, the reconstruction of the burnt section was delayed to allow the committee to submit its report, enabling the government to understand the true situation of the contract before proceeding with completion.
He, however, appealed for more patience from businessmen and traders affected by the incident, assuring that his administration would do everything possible to reconstruct the market within the shortest possible time.
He commended all the members of the committee for a thorough job and promised to study the report with a view to implementing it judiciously.
The governor also hinted that businessmen in the state would soon smile as the government is making necessary arrangements to support them.
Earlier, Chairman, Board of Directors, Sokoto State Investment Company, Alhaji Abubakar Salame Goronyo, said their findings revealed that 33 different contractors were given the contract with an initial amount of about ₦4 billion released.
He added that a total of 6,600 shops were slated for the reconstruction plan.
Salame said some contractors have reached an appreciable level of completion, while others have not even started the work.
The Chairman said that in the course of their assignments, they had met with relevant stakeholders.
He commended the state government for finding them worthy for the job and hoped that the recommendations of the committee would be implemented.
It could be recalled that in 2021, during the administration of former governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the market was burnt down.
Despite the award of the reconstruction contract and donations received, the reconstruction work did not materialise, hence the appointment of a committee by the present administration to investigate the matter and advise the government appropriately.
The reconstruction of the burnt portion of the market is anticipated to have several positive impacts on Sokoto State.
These include boosting economic activities, enhancing the livelihoods of traders and vendors in the market, and improving the overall infrastructure of the market.
