By Our Reporter

Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule has assured traders operating at the burnt market in Nasarawa Eggon of adequate arrangement to relocate them to a temporary site before the commencement of the construction of a modern market to replace the old market.

Engineer Sule gave the assurance when a delegation led by leaders of the traders’ association paid him a courtesy call at the Government House on Wednesday.

The Governor said that the decision to build the modern market was collectively taken with political and community leaders from the area, stressing that no trader will be made to suffer unnecessary hardship as a result of the exercise.

Engineer Sule further assured the traders that even though government intends to construct a modern market in Nasarawa-Eggon, work on the project will not start until adequate arrangement has been put in place to relocate them to a temporary site where they will continue with their daily activities to earn their living.

He disclosed that he has since instructed the chairman of Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Council, Mohammed Danladi, to locate a temporary site for the traders where they will continue with their activities pending the completion of the project.

“I will not allow the construction of the market to commence without ensuring that you have alternative site to carry on with your daily activities,” the Governor stated.

Engineer Sule expressed desire to see the project completed in good time for him to personally oversee the allocation of stalls at the new market.

He however warned trouble rousers who would want to benefit financially from the project by instigating crisis to steer clear as his administration will not entertain any attempt to short change the people.

The Governor equally sensitized the traders on the need to accept to pay prescribed levies to government on completion of the market.

Earlier, in their opening remarks, Chairman of the traders’ association, Sule Adu, represented by the secretary of the group, Augustine Achuku, informed the Governor about their fear of being displaced from the market without an alternative where they will continue with their trading activities.

It will be recalled that only recently, a section of the Nasarawa-Eggon market was burnt following which Engineer Sule promised to give the town a facelift by constructing a modern market to replace the old market.