13th September, 2013
JETHRO IBILEKE/Asaba
Nigeria’s Delta State Government has awarded a Contract for the construction of a concrete floating market at the cost of N3.6 billion.
The floating market which would be located in Ogheye, Warri North local government area, is aimed at promoting the socio-economic activities in riverrine communities of the state.
The state Commissioner for Special Duties (Special Infrastructure), Barrister (Mrs.) Orezi Esievo, made the disclosure Wednesday in Asaba while briefing journalists on the activities of her ministry at the on-going mid-term report of the present administration.
According to Esievo, the market upon completion, “apart from being a novelty in Nigeria, has its socio-economic benefits for over 36 riverine communities, the state and indeed the country.
“It is also hoped that it will attract agro-based industries to the area, including fish packaging companies, banks, boat building companies and other marine related businesses.”
The commissioner further disclosed that the market would be equipped with facilities including 1000 market stalls and three concrete stepways/piling platform/protective barriers of 250 by 200 metres.
Furthermore, the market would also have warehouse and cold-room facilities, administrative building with banking hall, berthing facilities, fish processing unit among others, according to her.
She stated that the directorate of special infrastructure was created in 2011 to fast track the development of basic infrastructures in the areas of education, road, health and transport.
Esievo said that the directorate has so far rehabilitated 50 secondary and primary schools while ten new model schools have been completed across the state at the sum of N10, 459, 251, 716. 85.
She also listed the construction, rehabilitation and equipping of 200-Bed Eku Government/Baptist Hospital and the 100-Bed Integrated Mother and Child Care Centre at the Central Hospital in Warri as achievements.