According to details of the stakeholders’ meeting obtained by LEADERSHIP Weekend, the reconstruction of the market, which will be done in three phases, is to be funded by Jaiz Bank, while the Plateau State Government will provide land, security, and an enabling operational environment, as the reconstruction work is billed to be completed within 12 months.
According to a statement by the state publicity secretary, Mr John Akans, “the PDP is alerting the people on the unexplained and secret business transaction going on between Governor Lalong and Jaiz Bank over plans to hand over the Jos Terminus Main Market to the bank. The opposition party also said Lalong should “explain to Plateau people the logic in mortgaging a market with a fiscal multiplier effect in the state income that will benefit the citizens for a N10 billion-lease for 40 years, while founding flyover at the cost of N18 billion. What is the ratio?”
YOWICAN also noted that the terms and conditions of the engagement had been unknown until the revelation that made its way to the public on the social media which has generated the most heated criticism and condemnation. The coalition pointed out that they are being pursued belatedly only to serve as conduit pipes to drain scarce public funds of the state as well as selfish desire to commandeer shops and allocate the same to so-call party’s stakeholders and other cronies.Chairman and Amb.
“Further concerned that the choice of Jaiz Bank continues to heighten the suspicion of many Plateau citizens that given its religious credentials and biases, it’s waging a holy war through buying and mopping of the assets of infidels who according to them, need to be financially and economically subdued.”
But the Plateau State Government, in its efforts to douse the tension the development has generated, in a statement issued by the commissioner of information and Communication, Hon Dan Manjang titled “Jos Main Market: Plateau State is not ceding market to Jaiz Bank,” the government allayed the fears of citizens adding that “it is a common knowledge that the Jos Main Market is one of the iconic landmarks of Plateau State and a source of pride to the citizens who hold it dear to their hearts.
“Besides, government carried out its due diligence to study the track record of Jaiz Bank in delivering such projects. It found that the bank in partnership with Kano State Government and private investors, is constructing a multi-million world-class drug-only wholesale market, the first of its type in Nigeria, at the Kano Economic City.”
Mangjang therefore appealed to all citizens to carefully peruse the project and avoid being deceived by politicians who he claimed are bent on ensuring that the market is not reconstructed so as to score cheap political point against Governor Lalong and the APC particularly at the eve of the general elections.
He pointed out that the major fears of the stakeholders as discussed was the partnership with Jaiz Bank, an interest-free bank which is 100 per cent Sharia compliant, considering Plateau as a Christian dominated state.
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