Governor Zulum addressing the press shortly after his inspection visit to assess the level of reconstruction work at the Monday Market Maidugiri, which was destroyed by fire outbreak.
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum says the state government has set up a committee that will look into the possibility of establishing another market as the reconstructed famous Monday market master plan have existed for over 25-30 years.
“We have given go ahead to the committee to conduct a feasibility study that will allow the establishment of another market so as to decongest the market.
“We have gone through the market and we must take some hard decisions, all those structures that are on demand routes, has to go because those illegal structures normally hinder the movement within the market. In the cause of an outbreak, there will be no access spaciously enough to allow people to move within the market ,” Zukum said.
He stated this on Sunday when he paid an inspection visit to assess the level of reconstruction work at the Monday market which was destroyed by fire.
The governor said: “Under no circumstances, the Monday market would exist without car parks, folder structures that are on car parks has to go and all those structures that are on drainages have to go apart from this folder structures that will impede other important activities within the market has to go but I’ve given them directives that under no circumstances on the temporary structures have to be demolished.
“We have to look into the light and then see some of the structures will be allowed. Whenever we have to establish a new market, if there is the need for us to do so. You know to shift some of those temporary structures we shall do so at a later date. And by and large , this is a decision of others that come on.
“And then my major interest is to see how everybody will get space to trade but not all will be accommodated here . We will move others somewhere else or Tashan Kano abandoned Stadium. I have already given directives to the committee to forward their recommendations .
“OWe have plan to re-establish the fire fighting service system in the market. We will strongly establish a very strong firefighting unit in this modern market and all those people that are operating in the nights on the roundabout that lead to this market has to be stopped or moved out,” Zukum said
Earlier, the Chairman of the Monday Market Reconstruction Committee, Alhaji Karami Duniya, welcomed the governor and his entourage at the market site before conducting him round all the sections of the famous Monday Market.
He commended the governor for his numerous supports to the development of the Monday Market.
