Authorities in Niger State have shut down and demolished the popular Thursday Weekly Madalla Market in Suleja Local Government Area.
The market, notorious for causing severe gridlock on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, has been a long-standing concern for commuters and local officials alike.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, upon taking office, had pledged to relocate the market as part of his administration’s Urban Renewal initiative under the New Niger Agenda, aiming for a free flow of traffic and improved urban planning.
The demolition was carried out by the Suleja Local Government, which manages the market.
As a result, the market did not operate on its usual Thursday schedule this week.
Speaking with newsmen, Suleja LG Chairman, Alhaji Isyaku Bawa Naibi, explained that the decision to demolish the market stemmed from traders’ non-compliance with directives to avoid selling on the main road.
This non-compliance had continued to exacerbate traffic congestion.
“The worst thing is that we are not getting any tangible revenue from the market; we get only N100,000 to N120,000 weekly from the market.
“There are middle men that rent spaces to these traders who come from up north, Kaduna, Jos and other areas; so, for proper planning of the market, we decided to demolish it, relocate it temporarily to another area until we get the approval to rebuild and plan the market for maximum benefit,” he stated.
The chairman stated that the demolition was part of broader efforts to enhance economic benefits for the council, the people of Madalla, and the state in general, while ensuring smoother traffic flow on the highway.