By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has said that its relocation of disbanded illegal market stalls, temporary market structures, containers and kiosks, among others, and the formation of new market villages on both short and long terms solution designed to open up business activities and create employment opportunities to the people.
The state Commissioner for Industry and Investment, Hon. Mahmoud Baba Ma’aji said that the plan which formed part of the Bauchi Project 2, is geared to secure Bauchi metropolis, diversified Bauchi revenue base, and attract investments from both within and outside the country into the state.
Hon. Mahmoud Baba Ma’aji in a statewide live media interactive session in Bauchi, explained that the plan will also decongest the cosmopolitan city of illegal structures and remove blockage of rights of way, and facilitate the expansion of city periphery, secure and provide healthy environment for businesses to thrive
The commissioner added, “I want to believe that the programme is a welcome development for the people of Bauchi State, and I want urge the people to continue to support the laudable policies and programmes of His Excellency, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed in his drive to economically, socially and infrastructurally transform the state”.
Ma’aji appreciated Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his commitments and dedication to move Bauchi state forward, saying however that one of the responsibilities of his ministry is the coordination and implementation of government’s policies and programmes especially as they relate to commerce and Investment.
Hon. Mahmoud Baba Ma’aji therefore called on the marketers to cooperate with the Governor Bala led administration in its charted course to relocate their businesses from the temporary sites to suitable locations within the Bauchi metropolitan area for flourishment.
According to him, the relocation of the temporary market stalls is in the best interest of the individual marketers beneficially such as their capacities building, organizing them in clusters form, as well as creating more job opportunities to even other citizens.
“It also has to do with the issue of reducing environmental pollution and deregulation. In areas where there are congestions, there are chances for the spread of diseases, as traffic management and control is also very essential. One thing that is also important is cleaning of gutters for easy flow of water”.
Introducing the occasion earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Ibrahim Kassim Mohammed has said that the media live interaction with four commissioners of commerce and industry, Lands and Survey, Housing and Environment, and Internal Security and Home Affairs is at the instance of Governor Bala Mohammed as part of his meet the people agenda on governance.
Barrister Ibrahim Kassim Mohammed explained that the maiden edition of the meet the people programme will have four commissioners talking questions from the media and the general public on the recent developmental strides in Bauchi metropolis.
He further explained that the developmental programme is part of Governor Bala Mohammed’s Bauchi Project 2 implementation for urban renewal which entails, among others, the removal of illegal structures on rights of way referred to as green areas to create conducive atmosphere for growth and development.
Also as part of the renewal agenda, according to the government scribe, is the reconstruction of Bauchi Central and Muda Lawal Markets, as well as the construction of new markets in the urban centres of the state with a view to attract investments and promote commercial activities to stimulate economy of the state.
The SSG stated that in the meet the people programme the commissioner for industry and Investment, Hon. Mahmoud Baba Ma’aji is to dwell on the relocation of petty traders and artisans scattered across Bauchi metropolis to designated market villages in the metropolitan area.
