Despite being a historic trading hub in Edu Local Government, Gbugbu’s newly constructed market remains off-limits to traders, causing significant distress among the local business community.
Gbugbu, a town governed by Kwara State, has long been renowned for its bustling market, which attracts traders from various regions every Wednesday.
However, the promised Gbugbu International Market, intended to enhance business activities and boost the state’s economy, is yet to be operational despite substantial investments.
In 2022, the Kwara State government allocated N350 million for the first phase of the market’s construction, featuring 22 lock-up shops, 200 open shops, public toilets, and a security post.
The Guardian Nigeria reported the project’s commissioning in February 2023. Despite the completed construction, traders found the market gates locked during a visit in May.
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Further investments of N200 million in 2023 and N50 million in 2024 have brought the total project cost to N600 million. Subsequent phases are planned to include an abattoir, police station, fire station, car park, and administrative offices.
Traders are increasingly frustrated. Gafaru Azeezat, a raw food seller, shares, “Half the money I make every Wednesday goes to buying medicine due to health issues from the sun exposure.” Others, like Salman Kehinde, question why the market remains unopened, fearing that the rent may be unaffordable for small traders.
Efforts by the state government to address these issues have been unfruitful. A recent meeting promised an official opening but provided no clear timeline. The delay leaves traders like Abdullahi Kareem and his wife struggling with inadequate facilities.
The Kwara State government has yet to respond to inquiries about the market’s delayed opening, leaving traders to endure harsh conditions with no immediate resolution in sight.
Source: Premium times
