By Taiye Bayode
The Kogi State Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has commenced plans to elevate markets in rural areas to international standards as the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu, welcomed representatives from the Rural Access and Agricultural Market Project (RAAMP) to discuss this important initiative.
During the meeting, Mrs. Maryam Muazu from the RAAMP team addressed the significance of upgrading market/trading facilities and emphasized the necessity of creating a conducive environment for farmers to showcase their goods and services.
Maryam highlighted the importance of conducting an environmental study, leading to the team’s assignment to develop an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the project.
The ESMP Consultant, Mr. Max Emeka, elaborated on the World Bank project’s significance and stressed the importance of engaging with various stakeholders such as marketers, unions, and traders.
Emeka outlined the intervention’s scope, which includes enhancing three markets in rural areas, and emphasized the Ministry’s crucial role in ensuring the project’s success.
In response, Commissioner Hon. Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu expressed gratitude to the team for bringing the World Bank’s attention to this initiative, recognizing it as an opportunity to showcase the Ministry and the state while enhancing the livelihoods of Kogites.
He emphasized the positive impact this project would have on the state and country, particularly in reducing unemployment.
He pledged full support for this commendable initiative and called for collective efforts to ensure its successful implementation.
