The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its resolve to conclude construction on the ₦31 billion Lokoja International Ultra-Modern Market situated in Zone 8. Authorities view the massive commercial undertaking as a critical initiative designed to relieve severe traffic congestion around Nataco Junction while simultaneously revitalising trade throughout the state.
Governor Ahmed Ododo conveyed this assurance following an on-site assessment of the ongoing construction over the weekend. Expressing contentment with the pace and quality of work executed thus far, the governor promised sustained administrative backing to ensure the project meets its scheduled timeline.
What are the specifications of the new market?
Spanning a 25-hectare expanse along Hassan Katsina Road, the upcoming facility is engineered to consolidate vendors currently operating across seven distinct open markets within Lokoja. Upon completion, the expansive hub will host contemporary storefronts, storage warehouses, open market halls, dedicated financial institutions, a medical clinic, a fire response station, dining areas, an abattoir, robust security installations, and ample parking spaces for motorists and logistics operators.
SABC Construction Limited is the primary contractor executing the multi- billion-naira project. The initiative is strategically formulated to permanently resolve the recurrent vehicular gridlock and safety hazards that have long plagued the vicinity of the older International Market near Nataco Junction.
How will the project impact local commerce and traffic?
By migrating trading operations into a structured and well-regulated facility, the state administration aims to optimize traffic circulation, elevate highway safety standards, and foster a more conducive commercial climate for merchants, shoppers, and transporters alike.
Supervisory oversight is actively provided by the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry alongside partner agencies to guarantee strict adherence to engineering specifications and regulatory compliance.
Backed by an estimated capital outlay of ₦31 billion financed through Sukuk arrangements, the commercial hub is projected to spur job creation, invigorate grassroots enterprises, facilitate smoother logistics for goods, and reinforce Lokoja's status as a pivotal trade corridor linking Northern and Southern Nigeria.
Targeted for full delivery by 2027, the venture stands as a flagship infrastructure project under the current leadership of Governor Ododo. Stakeholders anticipate that the market will fundamentally reshape the capital city's economic profile, resolving historical bottlenecks while equipping traders with world-class amenities.
Furthermore, state authorities plan to institute a robust maintenance and operational framework to safeguard the longevity and sustained functionality of the infrastructure long after its commissioning.