By Mohammed Baba Busu
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Capital Market, Commerce, and Industry has advised traders to occupy their allocated shops or risk revocation.
Mr. Mohammed Isah, the Chairman of the committee, gave the advice when the management of Nasarawa State Markets Management Bureau appeared before the committee on its 2022 budget performance on Monday in Lafia.
Isah (APC-Uke/Karshi) said they decided to invite the management of the bureau to assess its 2022 budget performance.
He said that the advice has become imperative due to the number of unoccupied shops across markets in the state.
“This is also to justify the government’s huge investment in market development in the state.
“Gov. Abdullahi Sule has built and still building markets across the state and the state government has spent a lot of money on market development.
“There is the need for traders, who are yet to occupy their shops to do so, as we will carry out oversight functions to the markets.
“And we will advise the appropriate authority on what to do if the traders failed to occupy allocated shops,” he said.
Isaiah also called on the traders association to join hands and cooperate with the bureau to ensure that the unoccupied shops are occupied in the interest of development.
He commended the management of the bureau for being up and doing in ensuring market development in the state.
The Director-General of the bureau, Mr. Yakubu Ubangari, appreciated Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his efforts in developing markets to boost socio-economic activities, and the revenue base and improve the standard of living of the people of the state.
Ubangari has appreciated the committee for supporting its activities to succeed.
He also hailed the governor for giving attention to the development of the market in the state and called for its sustenance.
The director-general, however, enumerated the challenges facing the bureau to include no operational vehicle, understaffing, and inadequate overhead cost, among others.
Similarly, the management of Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA) led by its Managing Director, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, commended Sule for being an investment-friendly governor.
Abdullahi also appreciated the committee for the support the agency is enjoying from them and called for its sustenance.
The managing director, however, solicited more staffing in the agency to boost investment in the state.
Responding, the chairman of the committee commended the agency over its good revenue performance, calling on them to do more and assured of the committee’s support. (NAN)
