The Yobe State government has threatened to revoke shops allocated to some traders at the Ibrahim Gaidam Ultra-modern market in Damaturu, the state capital, for failing to occupy the shops.
Governor Mai Mala Buni disclosed this while flagging-off the distribution of 50,000 assorted grains to vulnerable persons in Damaturu.
According to the governor, considering the huge amount of resources the state government expended in building the nearly ultra-modern markets in the state, it would not allow the facilities to lie waste.
“Having considered the importance of buying and selling and its benefit to the business owners and economic development of the state, the state government embarked on building these markets.
“The affected shops had not been put to use by their owners about three years since their allocation to them. We can’t afford to allow business owners to lock up their shops allocated to them any longer,” he said.
He warned that if the shop owners failed to comply with the directive to occupy their shops before the given date, the bureau would revoke their allocations.
Our correspondent reports that the Senator Ibrahim Gaidam Ultra-Modern Market, Damaturu, was commissioned on January 9, 2023 by the late former president, Muhammadu Buhari
Speaking shortly after the directive, the general manager of the Ibrahim Gaidam Ultra-Modern Market, Bulama Larema, commended the governor for what he called a bold and necessary decision.
He said that the shops were not constructed to remain locked up but to serve the people, stimulate business activities and generate revenue for the state.
Buni had earlier directed the Ministry of Commerce to enforce the order without delay, warning that his administration would not tolerate any attempt by a few individuals to deny others access to legitimate business opportunities.
