From Alhaji Yusuf Damaturu
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state has officially commissioned the newly construction Ngalda Modern Market, dedicating the facility to his Gombe State counterpart, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, saw the market formally named the “Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya Modern Market” in recognition of the Gombe governor’s contributions to regional development and his status as Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum.
Governor Buni, while addressing a gathering of dignitaries,traditional rulers, and community members, revealed that the project was delivered two months ahead of its contractual deadline.
He said,the market construction had commenced on June 11, 2024, with an initial 12-month timeline, but was completed in just 10 months due to the diligence of the contractor.
Describing the scale of the project, Buni noted that the market is equipped with 272 shops of varying dimensions, administrative blocks, mosques, a refuse dump, perimeter fencing, pavement, and boreholes.
“In a significant infrastructural addition aimed at public safety, the facility also features a fire service station, a police outpost, and a 2.98-kilometer drainage network.
“The drainage system has been designed to channel rainwater into the river, providing a permanent solution to the severe flooding that has disrupted life and commerce in Ngalda town for years.
“This project is part of our legacy in Gombe State and a fulfillment of the campaign promises we made to the good people of Ngalda and its environs,” Buni stated.
The governor lauded the contractor, Damuli investment company for adhering strictly to the project’s specifications and completing the work ahead of schedule.
He emphasized the economic transformation the market would bring, noting that the old Ngalda weekly market was already a thriving commercial hub attracting traders nationwide.
The governor urged residents to take full ownership of the asset by maintaining cleanliness and ensuring the facility is utilized optimally.
He also directed market authorities to implement robust mechanisms to prevent revenue leakages, insisting that all generated funds must be remitted to the government coffers to ensure value for public expenditure.
