National Council for Arts,Culture unveils projects for Abuja Arts

The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), revealed that the council has unveiled some projects for the reopening of the Abuja Arts and Crafts Market, shut down in 2018.

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The Director-General of NCAC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, disclosed this on Tuesday at a news conference in Abuja.

According to him, the unveiling of the facilities was in line with his pledge to provide best cultural market for the country.

Armed officers of the Nigeria Police Force, in company of the officials of the NCAC, had in February 2018, shut down the market.

The NACA Boss said that he shut down the market because its premises was populated by miscreants who engaged in sale of drugs, armed robbery and petty stealing.

He recalled that more than 20 stolen vehicles were packed within the premises, adding that over 350 illegal occupants were sleeping in the market which contravened the Federal Capital Development Control Regulation.

According to him, NCAC plans to provide some facilities before the reopening of the market to meet international standard.

“The proposed facilities are toll gate, pharmacy shop, photo shop, business centre, restaurant/recreation and traditional food centre, ATM gallery, salon/traditional hair weaving centre, public toilets, police post and complaint centre,’’ Runsewe said.

He further said that the market incurred heavy debts of water supply, electricity and security bills, added that the council would settle the bills before reopening the market.

He said 250 shops were opened for rent at the rate of N300,000 per shop annually, adding that each shop owner would also pay N100,000 as service charge.

According to him, interested stakeholders must be made to sign the rules and regulations to address the challenges facing the market.

NAN/O.O