Some traders in Kubwa town of Bwari Area Council of the FCT have raised concerns over vacant shops at most Ultra-Modern markets in the area.
The traders spoke in separate interview in Abuja, noted that most of the markets have already been commissioned and opened for business by the past administration but were yet to be occupied by traders.
Mr Chuks Annozie, one of the traders at Maitama Ultra-Modern market, Kubwa, said that he does not understand why the markets would be commissioned and not yet functioning after several months.
According to him, there was need for proper marketing strategies to be put in place by the council’s administration before such moves were made.
He said: “It is not only about them getting revenue through these markets but also, planning on how to attract business men and women to patronise the outlets.
“Now we have these large numbers of shops to let, whether at cheap rate or not, we are yet to achieve the goal because, we did not do a lot of marketing, not just in the city, but across the country.”
Another trader, Madam Uche Amazon, said initially, when the council approached the traders with the plan, they were worried that they may not be considered when the shops become available.
She added that the traders were concerned that the shops may be allocated to outsiders who were willing to pay at any cost, pointing out that the shops have since been available and affordable.
“Although, some have issues with the agents of the market which also involved the market association; I believe it would be sorted out soonest,” she added.
Another trader, Mr Yahaya Mohammed, said that the cost of some of the shops, which he said were on the high side maybe the reason for the traders not occupying them.
According to him, some could not afford the shops for now and so, may have taken alternative measures.
He added that those who have paid for the shops and yet to occupy may be considering patronage at the nearly empty environment.
Mohammed said that if most of the markets were occupied and highly patronised, it would increase trading activities in the vicinity and attract patronage from around the capital city.
He also said that there was need for the expansion of access road to most of the markets.
Similarly, Mr Austin Njeakor, Chairman, Phase II Site Market, Kubwa, suggested the setting up of an enforcement team that would ensure traders outside the market acquire shops inside the market.
Njeakor said that shops in Phase II Site market were affordable, yet traders preferred to sell their goods outside.
He said: “The traders out there are comfortable with their shanties, even though we have met with the shop owners who have drastically reduced the shops rent to as low as N100,000.
“Yet these traders prefer operating from outside.
“If only there is enforcement, especially the meat sellers in the abattoir, to relocate to the market because the facilities inside the market are of standard and they are just wasting.”
It would be recalled that the Chairman of the council, Mr John Gabaya, who visited some of the markets in June, promised to look into the challenges and ways of addressing it.
Gabaya also decried the absence of occupants in the over 1,000 shops at the Dutse-pei Ultra-modern market, situated near the Army Housing Scheme near Dutse-Alhaji, for over one year.
He said that the council and the developers of the markets would have to find a way to reduce the cost of the shops to make it affordable to traders so that the shops do not waste.
Bwari Area Council, under the administration of Mr Musa Dikko, former chairman of the council, commissioned the 1,500 capacity Maitama Ultra-Modern market, 667 shop capacity Dawaki Modern Market and three others.
The creation of the markets were intended to boost revenue of the council as well as benefit traders and residents of the community.
The markets were provided with standard facilities including fire service, Police post, banking services, Clinic, vehicle Park and toilets.
Others facilities in the markets were electricity supply with a dedicated transformer, a standby generator, refuse management and security services. NAN
