From Azi Aware, Jos
Jos which is known as a Tin City, is the Capital of Plateau state, North Central Nigeria, with the motto, Home of Peace and Tourism. Tourism is one of the driving tools of economic development globally. Tourism can be natural and manmade, Plateau state is endowed with both the natural and manmade tourism, among these is the famous Shere Hills, Gog-ma-Gog, Wase Rock, Pandam game reserve among others.
These sites and edifices need to be processed and maintained by the state government as well as the private sector.
In view of this, the state government has embark on Private Public Partnership (PPP) to rebuild the burnt down Jos main market, popularly known as Terminus market, The demolition of parts of the market that was destroyed by fire had since been demolished and as a result of the reconstruction, all Traders that occupied the place hitherto were all evicted and there were no proper alternative satellite markets for these traders to occupy, pending when the reconstruction is done.
The traders are thereby displaying their goods and commodities on the Major Roads of Terminus, Ahmadu Bello Way, Murtala Muhammad Way, Rwang Pam Streets. These roads are Trunk ‘A’ Roads which are in the city center and link the state with North East and other parts of the country.
There is a satelite market at Rukuba Road, but traders were so reluctant to move to the market. The market which was constructed by the former Governor Joshua Chibi Dariye to decongest the city center, Government did not form a task force that will compel the traders into the market and make roads accessible for motorist especially the heavy trucks that use those roads, others are pedestrians.
Other major challenges in Jos and its environs which destroys the beauty of the serene city is the illegal motor parks, Commercial vehicles are seeing stopping, picking and also alighting passengers by the roads without any authority cautioning or reprimanding them.
It is pertinent to government and all her Agencies to rise against the challenge and proffer solutions to these factors that negate her efforts in peace building, especially on one of her three Pillars policies of good governance, peace and security, no government thrives without peace and security as well as economic viability.
Generating revenue internally should be one of the top most priority of the state government in order to augment the dwindling federal allocation to enable the government provide the dividends of democracy, especially with the signing of minimum wage into law and agreement between government and labour, the wage bill of government will increase.
As a solution to the activities of these illegal traders who hamper economic activities by blocking roads. These illegal traders should be send to the sat lite market and make them to pay taxes to government and this will go along way to decongest the city center and enhance security of lives and property of the citizens which is the major function of every modern government.
