Logo of Jaiz Bank used to demonstrate the story.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – The controversy trailing the resolve of the Plateau State government to sign an MoU with the Jaiz bank to construct the Jos main market is yet to abate as stakeholders in the Jos North local government area of the State present opposing views to the move.
It would be recalled that the State government had agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jaiz Bank to rebuild the market at the cost of N10 billion, a federal lawmaker, Musa Bagos is challenging that in court while stakeholders in the diverse State constituencies are being engaged to get buy-in but many are kicking against the said MoU.
While the stakeholders in the Jos North/North State constituency endorsed the resolution, those in the Jos North/West State constituency kicked against it in their separate meetings.
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The Jos North/North meeting was held at the instance of Hon. Ibrahim Baba-Hassan, the member representing the constituency had Mr Bitrus Pada of the Anaguta Community, described the move to rebuild the market as a ”good omen” for the state.
His words, “That we the people of Jos North are wholly and fully in support of the laudable move and efforts of this administration to rebuild the Jos main market as this is the desire and collective aspiration of our people.
We agree that the government’s efforts should be intensified toward the rebuilding of the market as it serves as a symbol of unity, a source of integration and a place for synergy and meaningful development.
”Rebuilding the market will further enhance and solidify the efforts toward enhancing mutual trust, peace, unity and reintegration of our people, as well as boost the business environment for which Jos is known. The rebuilding of the market will bring sanity, discipline and organisation to the environment thereby decreasing the health hazards, and insecurity in and around the city and environs.”
The Jos North/West meeting was held at the instance of Hon. Esther Dusu, the Member representing that constituency, questioned “the parameter the government used in arriving at the 40-year plan for Jaiz bank to manage the market. The safety of the current location, why the government is not considering the option of collecting loan instead of the partnership,” among others.
