NEDC commissions and hands over modern livestock market to Bauchi govt

A year after the completion of the newly constructed multi-billion naira modern livestock market in Soro, Ganjuwa LGA of Bauchi State, the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) on Sunday officially handed over the market to the Bauchi State Government.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of the NEDC Operations Department, Abdulsalam Yahaya Ahmed, said the market is part of the commission’s efforts to promote the economic revival of the North-East sub-region following the devastation wrought by insurgents.

He stressed that the commission is confident that the new cattle will improve the business operations in Soro and Bauchi states as a whole as the market is one of the largest in terms of cattle sales in the region.

Ahmed commended the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, for creating an enabling environment for NEDC to execute various development projects in the prospective state.

While handing over the market to the Bauchi State Government through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Managing Director/CEO of NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali, said the market is designed to be a major source of income and employment for the people of the state.

He stressed the importance of the market to the economic development of the North-East sub-region as it is a major livestock market in the area.

According to him, the old market was historically a source of income, but because of its former location, many people have died over the years. That was all the more reason for the NEDC to intervene.

“Every citizen of the North-East sub-region has a stake in the market. I am from Borno State and I have a stake here, people from Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe and Taraba States can do business here because it belongs to all of us.”

Goni Alkali urged the government and the people of Soro to take good care of the market by regularly repairing damaged parts.

He said: “On behalf of the Board and Management of NEDC, I hereby hand over the Soro Modern Cattle Market to the Bauchi State Government for the economic growth and development of Bauchi State.”

While receiving the market, the state Governor, Bala Mohammed, commended NEDC for the various interventions in the state, saying the state has benefited immensely from the commission.

The Governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Yakubu Bello, stressed the importance of the cattle market, saying it will go a long way in creating employment for many people, especially the youths.

The Governor added that it will also serve as a source of income for the community, LGA and the state at large, and provides assurance that the facility will be well maintained by the government.

Construction of the market began in 2021, when the NEDC awarded the contract with an initial delivery period of one year. However, there were many setbacks before the market was finally completed in 2023.

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