Private developers, in partnership with Kuje Area Council, have begun the reconstruction and modernisation of the Kuje Main Market in the FCT.
The market, demolished about a week ago, is undergoing a major transformation by private developers called Green House Ventures Limited.
The firm demolished the structures in the market on Feb. 18 to pave way for effective work under a Build, Operate and Transfer contract scheme.
At the laying of the foundation last week, the council Chairman Mr. Shaban Tete, said his administration would ensure a rapid development in the area.
Tete said the council and Green House Ventures Limited had, in January, signed agreement on the process of modernising the market.
He said it was in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda to develop and improve the standard of living of every Nigerian.
“Before now the state of Kuje market was terrible but after several deliberations between market/shop owners and the area council, it was agreed that there was need for a modern market with infrastructural facilities.”
The chairman expressed sadness that some traders were displaced during the clearing of the site, but measures had been taken to relocate them pending completion of first phase of the project.
“All the efforts the council is making is not to witch-hunt anybody but rather to make life and business more conducive for all of us.
“When the market is completed, it will make the structures more organised and will provide easy accessibility in terms of any emergency.
“There will be police station to settle disputes and a bank for easy access to savings and many incentives.”
The chairman said the developer promised to complete the first phase in six months, which in turn would give way for the remaining phases.
Mr. Edozie Ugwu, Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Traders, FCT, said the project was a welcome development as it would go a long way to better the lives of the traders.
He called on the council to give the traders whose shops were displaced an adequate consideration and priority on completion of the market.
The Managing Director of the construction firm, Mr Osa Ogunkorede, said work was divided into two phases.
He said the first phase would involve the construction of about 120 lock-up shops, as majority of the traders were in that sector of the market.
“We will go to the small shops which will accommodate the small petty traders, and phase two will witness the completion of the project.
“We are working with Aso Savings and Loan Bank for the traders to get access to loan,” Ogunkorede said.

Traffic gridlock due to queue for petrol at a filling stations on Herbert Macaulay Way in Abuja last Friday.