Lafia – The Nasarawa State Government has awarded a N1 billion contract for the construction of Lafia international modern market.

Mr Emmanuel Jaji, the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, disclosed this during the handing over of the site to the contractors in Lafia on Tuesday.

Jaji said the award of the contract was in line with the state government goal to develop and add value to the economic base of the state.

“Governor Al-Makura saw it in his wisdom on the necessity of infrastructure in the state which includes a modern market.

“That Lafia, the state capital should have its own international modern market. This is why we are here today,” he said.

According to him, the amount, which was obtained from the capital market, is already in the bank and the project is expected to bring out a historic world monument with modern facilities on the 38 hectares of land.

Jaji charged the contractor to ensure that they carry out qualitative work at the site and stick to the stipulations of the project agreed upon.

The commissioner also called on the people of the state to live in peace with one another so that development can strive.

Earlier, Mrs Phoebe Omeri, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, explained that the eight contractors would be mobilised to begin work at the site and called on them to live up to expectation.(NAN)