In a move to rejuvenate one of Kano’s busiest commercial hubs, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has announced a comprehensive redevelopment project for the Farm Centre GSM Market, with an investment exceeding two billion Naira.
The announcement was made during the governor’s visit to the market, according to a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature.
The intervention comes in the wake of recent fire incidents that ravaged parts of the market.
Governor Yusuf said the initiative is not only a response to the damage but also part of a larger plan to modernise the market and accommodate its growing commercial demands.
The multi-billion-naira project will see the reconstruction of affected areas, expansion through land acquisition, and installation of critical infrastructure.
This includes a fully equipped fire station, solar-powered streetlights for enhanced visibility and security, a pedestrian bridge to improve accessibility and safety, a modern drainage system to tackle flooding, and rehabilitation of internal and surrounding roads.
Governor Yusuf also revealed plans to establish a robust management framework for the market to ensure transparent and efficient operations.
He said the broader vision is to transform the Farm Centre GSM Market into an international trading hub that can serve neighbouring countries and boost regional commerce.
He urged market users to support ongoing security efforts, particularly in addressing the rising incidents of phone snatching and petty theft.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, the governor highlighted the role of Kano’s 26 vocational training institutes in equipping young people with marketable skills and creating sustainable employment.
In his remarks, Comrade Jamilu Gama, Chairman of the Market, thanked the governor for his swift and impactful response, describing it as a great relief to traders who suffered losses in the inferno.
The Farm Centre GSM Market, home to over 20 plazas and employing more than 39,000 youths, is one of the largest technology-focused informal markets in Northern Nigeria.
Governor Yusuf’s redevelopment pledge has been lauded by stakeholders as a strategic step toward economic revitalization, infrastructure development, and youth inclusion in Kano State.
Hauwa Abu