By Tina George, Minna
A member representing Bida/Katcha/Gbako Federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Saidu Abdullahi, has offered to reconstruct one of the oldest markets in Niger state.
Burnt in a fire inferno two years ago, the foundation laying ceremony for the reconstruction of the 600 shop Etsu Musa Market, was flagged off by the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar in Bida on Saturday.
According to Rep Abdullahi, the reconstruction of the burnt market is a project under the Zonal Intervention Project of the Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal constituency in 2020, which he facilitated the project to improve the socio-economic development of the local government area.
He noted that businesses of many traders had gone down since the fire incident which gutted goods and properties worth billions of Naira, adding that it was an opportunity to bring hope to them.
“We are not oblivious of the history of Bida, especially the history of the Etsu Musa market. I know how attached our people are to the market. My grandmother used to have a kiosk in that market, so I have a little history of where we are coming from in terms of that market and where we are now and the hardship the inferno of 2018 have caused on the people.
“By every account, the Etsu Musa Market project is one of the most important projects we have facilitated. This is because not only does it have a direct positive impact on the socio-economic lives of the people, but also for the fact that it will be a dream come true for shop owners whose businesses and sources of livelihood have been affected by the fire incident since 2018.
“Immediately we got this opportunity, we started thinking of how to enhance the socio-economic development of this environment. Aside from its economic advantage, we also have to look at the social importance of the market. The market is more of a melting point where you have people from every aspect of the nation.
“It, therefore, becomes incumbent on us to improve and reconstruct the market in order to improve the welfare of the people.”
In his address, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Traditional Council of State, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar applauded the effort of the legislator for all he has been doing since he was elected into office.
He noted that he had done far well more than other legislators in the past, saying the reconstruction of the market will bring great relief to the people.
The Etsu Nupe expressed satisfaction with the development the member representing the constituency is bringing to the local government area saying that he is leaving behind positive legacies for his people.
One of the Lead Engineers on site, Engineer Emmanuel Olufemi who represented the Contractor, Acute Option Limited said that the project will be completed in the next two months, assuring the people that they will not fail or compromise in meeting up to expectation.
The sight of witnessing the foundation-laying ceremony, elated the owners whose shops were gutted by fire two years.
