By Ahmed Ahmed
The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has inaugurated the multi-million cattle market constructed by the commission and handed it over to Soro Community in Bauchi State to boost revenue generation.
Speaking during the handing over of the market on Sunday, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEDC, Mr Mohammed Alkali, said the edifice was for the utilisation of Soro community, Bauchi state and beyond.
He said that the gesture was part of the Commission’s efforts to enhance the economic activities of the state as well as economic revamping in the North East subregion.
“This new cattle market will enhance business operations in Soro and Bauchi state as the market is one of the biggest in terms of cattle sales in the area.
“The market is designed to be one of the major sources of revenue and employment for the people of the state.
“History has it the old market had been a source of revenue but because of its former location, it had led to the death of many people over the years, the more reason the NEDC intervened.”
“Every citizen of the North-East subregion has a stake in the market,” he said.
Alkali, however, urged the Bauchi state government and the people of Soro community to take good care of the market.
In his acceptance speech, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state, said that the importance of the market could not be overemphasized as it provided employment opportunities to the teaming youth in the state and also serve as security to the cattle marketers.
Represented by Alh. Yakubu Bello, the Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed commended NEDC for actualizing the project.
“Having completed this project, the government is soliciting for more projects of this nature in other Local Government Areas that have large cattle markets in the state,” he said.