CAN rejects rebuilding of Jos Main Market by Islamic bank
From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) youth wing in Plateau State has said they will not allow the Plateau State government sign the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) an Islamic bank, Jaiz, to rebuild Jos Main Market.
President, CAN Plateau youth wing, Markus Kanda made the position of the association known on Saturday during a press conference, held at CAN Secretariat, Jos, the Plateau State capital.
According to Kanda, they learnt that the said MoU with Jaiz Bank shall permit ownership of the market for a piriod of 40 years, with 60 percent management of the entire market by the said bank.
The Christian association therefore, appealed to the state government to suspend any further negotiation with Jaiz Bank in respect to the re-building of the Jos Main Market, which was burnt in 2002 during a civil unrest.
Mr Kanda suggested that, rather than engage Jaiz Bank to rebuild the burnt market, government should create a trust fund and appeal to spirited individuals to assist with funds required in the reconstructions of the market.
CAN accused the Plateau State government of being secretive with the process of re-building the Jos Main Market. They also say government planned mortgaging economy of the state through the re-building of the market.
CAN also suggested that the administration of Simon Lalong should concentrate on the ongoing projects it kicked started and complete them, rather than embark on new projects that might be abandoned.
"The government of Rt. Hon Barr (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong should: a. Suspend any/all process(es) in this ongoing damning negotiations and engagement with Jaiz bank forthwith.
"Commence a wider consultation to be engaged at community levels via a state wide awareness and mobilization to sensitize the people and seek their consent just as the issue of the previously attempted ranching and grazing reserve issues and leave its recommendation for the next government.
"Concentrate on completing the ongoing/left over/abandoned projects and not bother engaging a new one which it obviously cannot settle for given the realities and circumstances;
"Settle on clearing all salaries, gratuities, pensions and other emoluments of workers and civil servants on the Plateau, as well as tidy up its records and accounts preparatory for an obvious transition and handing over to the next government in less than 10 months from now, this we believe is more honourable than creating another transactional monster which will not spare anything good for the state," Kanda's speech read.
However, it could be recalled that the state government, through Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Dan Manjang had in a recent press release denied the allegations that the process that led to the engagement of JAIZ Bank was secretive.
His release read in part: "Thereafter, the state EXCO mandated its relevant MDAs to carry out sensitization and awareness by engaging various stakeholders ahead of the signing of the MoU for rebuilding the Jos Main Market.
"The governor also personally engaged top religious, traditional, elders and other leaders of thought on the project, knowing fully the passion that they have on the market which is a great heritage of the state."
According to Manjang, the EXCO suggested that; "If any citizen has a better and genuine offer for the reconstruction of the market than the one on the table right now, the Lalong government is a listening one and would pay attention. As at today, there has not been such offer."
"These negotiations which involved many experts and key government officials continued and the offers did not favour the state but put it at a disadvantage.
"All willing and able Plateau citizens will be given an opportunity to buy and own shops in the market either from the state government (40%) or Jaiz Bank (60%)," he explained.
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Ajester Gomp
Totally agree with the move by CAN. These people must think the people of this great state are stupid! Take you money somewhere else.
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