Karu (Nasarawa State) – The Nasarawa State Government is to spend three billion naira on market development to boost economic activities and its revenue base, an official said.

The Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Mr Emmanuel Bras-Yaji, made the plan known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Karu, Nasarawa State, on Thursday.

Bras-Yaji said market development was necessary to enable the state government to fight poverty, youth unemployment and restiveness.

“As we are all aware the state government has boosted commercial activities in the state through the establishment of modern markets.

“The state government had earlier built and allocated shops to traders in the first phases of Karu International Market and Lafia Modern Market.

“Presently, the state government is also building three modern markets in Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi local government areas.

“Just yesterday, the state government handed over the site certificates to contractors for the construction of 1,200 shops for the second phases of Karu International Market at the cost of N670 million,” he said.

The commissioner said the construction of the second phase of Karu International Market and others would cost over three billion naira.

Bras-Yaji urged contractors handling various market projects to justify the state government’s huge investment by executing the projects according to specification.

He warned that government would not hesitate to sanction any erring contractor.

The commissioner urged the people to give contractors handling projects in the state the support they needed.

Bras-Yaji further urged the people of the state to support the administration of Gov. Tanko Al-makura to develop and transform the state. (NAN)