Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mariya Mahmoud, has performed the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the Zuba Relief Market In Gwagwalada area council of the territory under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
Mahmoud, during the event, said it was a testament of the administration’s commitment to the provision of critical infrastructures to residents, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister said the ground breaking ceremony was a bold step by the FCT Administration through the Gwagwalada Area Council to reduce the burden on funding through budgetary allocations.
She revealed that contract for the market was awarded to Khuntex Engineering Company Limited in December 2021, on a Public Private Partnership agreement to redevelop the market to modern standard.
The minister added that the agreement was for the area council to provide unencumbered land and Khuntex to fund the construction 100 percent.
“To solve the protracted funding issue, the Gwagwalada area council decided to explore private sector funding options as we are witnessing today which leverages the utilisation of private sector in exchange for land as a resource for the re-development of the Zuba Modern Market, among other Public, Private, Partnership (PPP) initiatives,” she said.
Mahmoud while emphasising the importance of robust market infrastructure in rural areas, noted that rural markets serve as the lifeline of countless communities, providing a platform for farmers and artisans to sell their produce and goods.
She assured that through collaboration, the rural markets are equipped with modern facilities that would not only enhance the efficiency of agricultural value chains, but also empower rural entrepreneurs to access larger markets and attain better prices for their products.
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