The Kogi state government has said the Lokoja Ultra Modern Market, currently under construction, is poised to transform commerce across Nigeria by leveraging the state’s strategic location at the nation’s crossroads and providing one of the country’s largest and most modern trading hubs.

The government said the market, which sits on 25 hectares of land, would accommodate traders from seven existing markets across Lokoja and provide a well-planned commercial environment that would enhance trade, improve safety, ease traffic congestion and stimulate economic growth.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, stated this on Monday while inspecting the pace of work at the project site in Lokoja.

He described the project as one of the flagship initiatives of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration, saying it was a critical component of government’s urban renewal agenda aimed at transforming Lokoja into a cleaner, smarter and more organised capital city.

Fanwo said the administration was implementing a comprehensive strategy to modernise the state capital through environmental reforms, improved infrastructure and strategic investments that would support commerce and enhance the quality of life of residents.

“We want to clean up Lokoja. But in doing that, we need to have short, medium and long-term plans. While the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management is doing a great job to make the capital city clean, we are launching an ambitious urban renewal agenda that will make Lokoja one of the smartest and cleanest state capitals in Nigeria,” he said.

The Commissioner explained that the existing International Market at Nataco had outlived its original design and now posed serious traffic, environmental and safety challenges.

Fanwo noted that Kogi’s location at the centre of Nigeria gave the new market a unique advantage, saying it was strategically positioned to serve businesses from every region of the country.

He disclosed that the market would feature open trading spaces, lock-up shops, market halls, technology hubs, banking facilities, a clinic, fire and security stations, a food court, a modern butchery, state-of-the-art warehouses, ample parking areas and other supporting infrastructure designed to meet international standards.

According to him, the integrated design of the market will provide a safe, efficient and technology-driven environment for commerce while attracting investors, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers from across the country.

Fanwo added that the project is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, strengthen small and medium-scale enterprises, boost internally generated revenue and further establish Kogi state as a leading destination for investment and trade.

“This is a legacy project. When people talk about Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Ultra Modern Market and the Airport will rank among the projects that have changed the face of Kogi State,” he said.

The Commissioner commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating an economic environment that has enhanced the capacity of sub-national governments to undertake transformative infrastructure projects.