Just hours after launching Abuja’s first solar-powered market, the Utako Farmers Market, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has commissioned the Kugbo International Market, further expanding the city’s modern trading infrastructure. The Kugbo market, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) and Mesotho Group Limited, under a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement, boasts 5,200 stalls, attracting approximately 20,000 daily visitors, alongside 20 warehouses, 20 cold rooms, 10 restaurants, banks, a clinic, and police and fire service stations.
At the commissioning ceremony of the market’s first phase, featuring 1,600 shops, Wike, represented by FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, expressed optimism that the facility will significantly contribute to local and national economic growth through enhanced trade and commercial activities. He emphasised the market’s role as a “thriving ecosystem designed to support businesses, empower entrepreneurs, create jobs, and attract both local and international investors.”
Wike highlighted the market’s potential to generate revenue through taxes and levies, while also providing employment opportunities across various sectors, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He commended AICL’s Group Managing Director, Ambassador Maureen Tamuno, for her leadership in driving economic growth in the FCT, praising her role in fostering strategic investments and partnerships.
Ambassador Tamuno lauded Minister Wike’s dedication to transforming Abuja into a world-class city, acknowledging his visionary leadership and commitment to creating a thriving business and investment hub. She noted the significant development initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable investment and improving infrastructure under his administration.
A key highlight of the event was the distribution of 120 free shops to FCT residents across the six area councils, with 20 traders from each council receiving a shop courtesy of Wike. Goodwill messages were delivered by prominent figures, including former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, and others, who commended the FCT Ministers and Ambassador Tamuno for their dedication to economic development in Abuja.
