Plateau State Government, Central Nigeria has appealed to the Federal government to assist in its effort of rebuilding the Jos Main Market, which burnt down since 2002.
The State Governor, Simon Lalong made the appeal on Friday, at the Presidential Villa, during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Governor said the State government needs about N15 billion to rebuild the market, which was one of the main sources of revenue for the State.
Addressing State House Correspondents soon after the meeting, Governor Lalong said: “On behalf of my State I made an appeal to the President. In Plateau State, one of the things that were keeping us was the Jos Mani Market, which was burnt down and up to date, it is difficult for us to rebuild that market; you know the market is very essential to people.
“I have tried in several ways but definitely like a father, I also came to him seeking intervention, to start rebuilding the Jos Main Market. Based on the assessment done so far, we need between N12-15 billion to rebuild that market.
“Jos Main Market was brought down by dynamites some years back; when there was insecurity, almost the same market when the World Trade Centre in the US was attacked. Since then, it has been very difficult to rebuild. We have tried collaborating with investors but that has not worked and now we are overstretched by COVID-19 so we cannot even do much. Recently we have been hearing about markets being burnt and interventions here and there. As it is now, we don’t have a market so we need such interventions too so that we can start rebuilding that market.”
Commenting on the issue of COVID-19 vaccines and the fearsome are entertaining, Lalong said Governors in the northern part of the country are willing to take the lead by allowing themselves to be the first to receive the vaccine when it is available.
On security matters, Governor Lalong said the Northern Governors are in support of Community Policing, adding that he already has an outfit in his State, where 700 people have been trained already and another batch of 700 would soon be trained.
Nnenna.O
