CRSG Signs N8B Contract On Calabar New Market
CALABAR, June 24, (THEWILL) - Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has given reasons why the popular Watt Market in Calabar South LGA and Ika-Ika Oqua Market in Calabar Municipal Council are to be relocated.　
According to Imoke after the State Government had signed an eight billion naira agreement with Blue Waters Development Company Ltd on a New Calabar Central Market in Governor’s Office, Calabar, Wednesday, the markets have become over crowded and over grown their infrastructure provisions within their environment which calls for a proper management irrespective of their sanitation status as the cleanest markets in Nigeria, adding that government embarked on a Public Private Partnership (PPP), which is unique in many ways to carry along the consultant and market associations as stakeholders.
Imoke noted that the consultant has the capacity to finish the project because of its access to banks and financiers which will entail it to build and operate within the stipulated time, explaining that the new market is intended to tackle the challenges posed by Watt and Ika-Ika Oqua markets with most modern facilities as it will be monitored to ensure a classic PPP project while assuring the total cooperation of government to ensure it is realized.
He described the signing as a significant day for the state to deliver infrastructure for development because as Calabar metropolis expands there is need also to provide it with a befitting market that meets the needs of the people.
Professor Jerry Gana, Director Blue Waters Development Company Ltd and a one time Federal Minister, speaking on behalf of the company, described the proposed market as a well planned site with beautiful structure which will create wealth and generate jobs to make the city second to none in Africa, adding that it will be made of 4500 shops which will include retail shops, cold rooms, ware houses, abattoir and a car park.
Gana said given the company’s track record, they will build a modern market that will rival any modern market else where as they will not give anything less, stating that present administration will leave the project as a good legacy of pride.
Mr. Eyo Ekpo Special Adviser on Special Projects in an introductory address, said the new market to be sited at Ekabo, Calabar Municipality, will be completed within 24 months, adding that the project concessionaire, Bluewaters Development company Ltd, is expected to deploy private　financing to realize its development through a public-private model.
Ekpo explained that the market, which the company will hold in concession for 25 years, is intended to meet international standards and serve as value addition to government’s socio-economic development aspirations.