By Isreal Adamu, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has commissioned over 440 shops at the newly built JMDB Bukuru Market in Jos South Local Government Area, with a focus on empowering women who constitute the majority of traders in the state.
The project, executed by the Jos Metropolitan Development Management Board (JMDB) under the leadership of its General Manager, Arch. Hart Bankat, includes 164 shops, 16 warehouses, 133 small lock-up shops, 15 small shops, 166 stalls, office spaces, a motor park, and open areas for hawkers.
Governor Mutfwang praised JMDB for ensuring that development projects in the state capital are people-centered, stressing that the new market will directly empower women and youths by providing a safer, cleaner, and more organized environment for business. He noted that the facility would ease the struggles women face daily in their pursuit of livelihood.
“My administration remains steadfast in its commitment to creating the right environment for small businesses to thrive. Women are at the heart of our market economy, and empowering them means strengthening families and communities. An economically thriving Plateau is not just about business; it is about shared prosperity. As your governor, I am personally committed to ensuring that economic empowerment remains central to our developmental agenda,” he said.
The governor explained that the project aligns with the Greater Jos Master Plan, which seeks to build modern and functional cities with well-structured market facilities to drive growth and integration. He urged the market occupants, particularly women, as well as stakeholders and community members, to take full ownership of the facility by maintaining and protecting it for the benefit of all.
Arch. Hart Bankat, General Manager of JMDB, described the Bukuru Market as a symbol of the board’s commitment to modern and sustainable economic infrastructure. He said the facility was designed to meet the needs of both traders and shoppers, adding that it would enhance business activities and boost economic growth across the state.
“As we commission this market, we look forward to its positive impact on the lives of our people, particularly the traders and business owners who will use this facility. We are confident that this market will become a hub for economic activity, creating opportunities for growth and development in this region,” Bankat said.
Project contractor and manager of Spade Investment Limited, Mr. Garry Kim Wayas, disclosed that the market was completed within 11 months after being awarded in July 2024. He said the company worked tirelessly in collaboration with JMDB to deliver the project and expressed readiness to partner with the state on future projects.
