Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has inaugurated the ultra modern Kasuwan Magani Market, constructed at the cost of over N2.78 billion.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market has 2,024 shops which include lock up shops, open stalls, meat dressing slabs, abattoir, warehouses and 398 car parking spaces.
It also has a police post, clinic, banking hall, fire service area, electricity and clean water supply.
The governor said at the inauguration of the market on Thursday that it was part of deliberate investment by government towards peace-building and economic prosperity in a diverse community.
NAN reports that the area has suffered long years of conflict, and El-Rufai said that the conflicts were largel due to resentments driven by poverty and sense of inequality.
According to him, the construction of the new market is to erase barriers to securing trading places in the area.
“We commissioned the replacement of the burnt Kasuwan Magani market as part of our programme to promote equality of opportunity and economic development in our communities,” he added.
According to him, sale of shops in the market will not be driven by profit, but the desire to make the market a hub of traders from diverse backgrounds with a shared interest in prosperity.
While appealing to all communities to work for peace and harmony, the governor added that economic development requires an atmosphere of concord in which everyone feels safe to pursue their livelihoods.
“Let us defeat poverty together and build communities of prosperity,” he urged the people.
Meanwhile, Sen. Uba Sani (APC – Kaduna Central) told newsmen that the project would boost socio-economic development of Kajuru Local Government Area.
He urged people of the area to reciprocate the gesture by working for sustainable peace, so as to attract more development.
(NAN)
