…Madalla modern market moves to ease congestion

The Madalla Modern Market which is under construction will ease traffic congestion along its road corridors.

Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Dodo, a principal partner in Dodo Project Consultant Limited, the company handling the construction of the new market, said the facility when completed would provide a remedy to the congestion around the Thursday market.

Dodo, who spoke with our reporter, also said the project would present multiple benefits to the host community.

He explained that the project was being executed under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework between his company, Dodo Project Consultant Limited and Niger State government, representing Suleja Local Government Council in the partnership.

He said the modern market, with phase one expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year, is sited on a 27 hectares of land, with mixed developments comprising 4000 lockup shops, a number of warehouses, open stalls, and modern slaughterhouses, among others.

“Many lives are lost especially on Thursdays when the market holds, but all attempts made by past administrations to relocate the facility did not yield results, until the present governor came in and demonstrated willingness that resulted in the partnership.

“More so, more than half of that market would be chopped off by the road expansion project on the Abuja/Kaduna highway, so we want to start the relocation to its phase one section at the set time when the number of shops and open stalls would be ready and subsequently, move on with the other phases,” he added.

Dodo also expressed delight over the level of patronage the new market has got so far, saying people from within and outside the community have filled forms, and also made deposits, in respect of various facilities there.

“Madalla market used to serve as the melting point for traders from the northern and southern parts of the country since 1805. That should not be allowed to be eroded by the road project expansion, hence the relocation becomes necessary.

“Two major roads, one from the highway, off Zuma Rock, and another one along the Madalla/Suleja road, are underway with additional linking roads from the community,” he added.