Pam Moses

The Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the Opposition to the rebuilding of Jos Main Market is Political, laced with hypocrisy, lies and mischief by the PDP

The party (APC) has in a press statement signed by, Hon.Sylvanus Namang, the State Publicity Secretary described the opposition to the decision of Governor Simon Bako Lalong to rebuild the market as purely politically motivated.

The APC in its press statement, dated the 8th of September, 2022, also stated that the move and propaganda of those opposed to the decision of the current administration to rebuild the market are loaded with lies, which it holds as the height of mischief to the state and its people.

“It is important to note that, at this point, a lot of politically motivated propaganda was offloaded and circulated against the efforts of the Governor, where it was alleged that billions were spent to demolish the structure. This is false and the height of mischief!

The ruling party explained that “The push for the economic growth of the State deserves the support of all discerning minds. We cannot continue to promote and elevate hatred as an ideology or achievement as the renegade Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) politicians, keep doing. The state needs the intervention of true Patriots, Statesmen and Religious Leaders across the divide; to bring all disparate and divergent groups together, as our strength lies in our diversity.”

The APC, which took paragraphs to link and accused the PDP, its past Administration in the state and Honourable Dachung Musa Bagos, Member representing Jos-South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State, of Double Standard, owing to their protest and present suit against the signing of the MoU for the reconstruction of the Market, in summary, explained that, “Jos Main Market remains a cherished Heritage of Plateau People, which no one can take away. It ought to have been rebuilt before now, if not for the misplaced priority of the immediate past administration.

“From available facts, all the Satellite Markets built at Kabong, Farin Gada, New Market and Katako are less than 50% occupied as the traders there have moved to Terminus, Ahmadu Bello Way, Murtala Muhammed Way, and all adjoining streets to the burnt down Market, which has led to frequent traffic gridlocks and environmental hazards. Traders operate in locations where they are better patronized and cannot be moved by fiat.

“These Serial Fault finders’ opposition to the JAIZ Bank Funding initiative and the State Government’s decision to rebuild the market is purely politically motivated. Religion is only being ostensibly brought in as a mere smokescreen!

“The same JAIZ Bank has executed similar projects in nearly 100 % Christian States of Enugu and Rivers State without its people being Islamised, contrary to what is being widely canvassed by these deceptive opposition politicians in a 21st Century Plateau State.

“Facts made available to the APC, reveal that, contrary to the allegation in the opposition camp that, the State Government was in breach of its laws on Public Procurement, the arrangement with Jaiz Bank Plc is not covered under the Public Procurement Law, since the funding for the redevelopment is not coming from the public purse, but is a finance of the project by a Third Party.

“The scope of application procurement law we learnt is limited to the utilization of public funds to acquire goods and services.

“Regrettably, the outcome of this engagement with Jaiz Bank has been twisted, politicized and reported under the caption “Governor Lalong cedes Jos Main Market to Islamic Bank”. This has unnecessarily provoked passions and negative emotions in our citizens and conveyed the false narrative that, the state was parting with its cherished heritage to an “Islamic Bank”.

“While the Government respects the rights of its citizens to raise questions on every decision and make their observations and displeasure known, the Rescue Administration has allayed the fears being raised as nothing in the deal will work against the state. Rather, it is an opportunity to raise a Sleeping Giant once again- the famous Jos Main Market. A Market that has not added any value to the Government and its people since it was burnt down 21 years ago!

“A Market like the Jos Main Market that will engender economic activities and commercial intercourse amongst diverse groups is probably the most unifying institution a polarized state such as Plateau can wish for.

“What the APC in the state finds worrisome and disappointing is that despite the clarity in the terms of the proposals, politics has surreptitiously crept into this purely economic engagement and otherwise laudable project.

“Dishonest politicians, from the opposition, have for their convenience, given a religious colouration to the issue. Everybody, ranging from the Government to the Investor, the prospective Shop Owners, the Clerics and Plateau Citizens, has unfortunately become victims of the antics of these opportunists.

“The Truth is that the deliberately simulated and orchestrated outrage and resistance to the rebuilding of the Market is all about politics, rather than religion-often said to be the Opium of the Masses. These dishonest politicians in the pursuit of narrow political ends, at the slightest opportunity, never hesitate to exploit the divisive and combustible issue of religion to fool the people that they are the worthy protectors of “Plateau Heritage.”

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The Opposition to the rebuilding of Jos Main Market is Political, laced with hypocrisy, lies and mischief says APC