On-site findings indicate that the market is still not operational, with only minimal work being carried out at the time of SaharaReporters' visit. There were only a few buildings on the land designated for the project.
The Suleja International Market is located in the Rafinseyi area of Suleja, Niger State. Situated on a vast expanse of land, the market was intended to serve as a major hub for activities in the Suleja local government area and, by extension, Niger State.
The government also planned to include a bus terminal at the market site. However, more than six years later, the project remains uncompleted.
Initially scheduled for completion in March 2020, the project has seen a five-year delay, as revealed by findings from SaharaReporters. Documents obtained by SaharaReporters show that the bidding for the contract took place in November 2012.
On-site findings indicate that the market is still not operational, with only minimal work being carried out at the time of SaharaReporters' visit. There were only a few buildings on the land designated for the project.
Residents in the area recall that between 2018 and 2019, the Niger State government demolished houses situated on the land intended for the Suleja International Market.
"The government demolished houses here between 2018 and 2019, because of the market project, but we are yet to see anything like the market functioning years after," a resident who runs a business in the area told SaharaReporters.
Another resident told SaharaReporters that during the demolition, government officials claimed that some individuals in the area lacked Certificates of Occupancy.
"The government made it clear they wanted to develop the market but till today, we have not seen the market function," the resident said.
Several residents told SaharaReporters that numerous houses were demolished to make way for a project that the government has yet to deliver.
"Do you know how many houses were demolished? How many people lost their sources of livelihood?” a resident asked.
Many residents expressed disappointment that, despite the importance emphasized by the state government, the project has yet to take off.
Aside from the demolitions, investigations reveal that the project was partly funded through a N5 billion bond issued by the Niger State Government.
Documents published by the Emerging Africa Group on various contracts engaged by the Niger State Government show that the project was awarded to Exson Limited at a cost of N1.6 billion as of 2019. Of this amount, N400 million has been paid by the government, leaving a balance of N1.2 billion.
Observations made by SaharaReporters at the construction site of the market raise serious concerns about accountability and transparency in the management of these funds.
SaharaReporters' findings were confirmed by the audited financial statement of Niger State. The report, covering the year ended December 31, 2022, revealed that the state paid N400 million to Exson Limited.
"The contract was reviewed by the infrastructural committee of the state in 2017, of which N400 million was the last tranche payment made to the contractor (Exson Nigeria Limited) in November 2019, but there appeared not to be any improvement even though the contract period elapsed March 2020," it said.
The document further said the contractor should be mobilised and returned to site or the money paid should be returned and contract revoked.
Interestingly, in 2022, then-Governor Abubakar Sani Bello commended the progress of work on the Suleja International Market, stating that the project, once completed, would enhance economic activities in the state.
"It is a very nice job. It took time but at the end, we have seen the results. A city like Suleja needs projects like this to boost business activities," he noted.
However, two years down the line, the projects are yet to be functional and statements in the audited financial statement of the state published in 2022 negate the position of the then governor on the pace of work.
When SaharaReporters spoke to some persons met on the ground at the international market site, they could not offer information on when exactly the market will begin full operation, but only stated that work was still ongoing.
SaharaReporters contacted Niger State Information Commissioner Binta Mamman, but calls were not answered, and WhatsApp messages, despite being read, went unresponsive at the time of this report.
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