By Isreal Adamu, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, visited the Katako Market in Jos North Local Government Area on Monday, following a devastating fire outbreak that ravaged the market on Sunday night. During his visit, the Governor expressed his commitment to supporting the traders and vowed to remodel the market to enhance its functionality and create a more vibrant business environment.
Governor Mutfwang, visibly concerned by the incident, thanked God that no lives were lost in the fire. He extended his sympathy to the injured and those who lost property, acknowledging the immense hardship the traders and their families are facing as a result of the disaster.
The Governor’s visit was a historic moment as he became the first Executive Governor to inspect the market in its 40 years of existence. Despite the market having experienced several fire incidents over the years, this was the first time a sitting governor personally assessed the damage.
Mutfwang lamented the timing of the fire, which occurred at a time when residents are already dealing with significant economic challenges. He assured the traders that the state government, in collaboration with the local government and market leadership, would develop plans to revitalize the market, making it safer, more organized, and a more conducive space for business.
The Governor also commended security agencies, the fire service, and individuals who contributed to containing the blaze. He pledged to address the traders’ requests for better infrastructure to prevent future incidents.
A statement issued by Gyang Bere, Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, quoted Mutfwang saying, “Very soon, we will unveil our plans for the Terminus Market and other markets across the state to make them more functional and effective. We aim to provide safe environments for all traders to earn a decent living for themselves, their families, and the state.”
The Governor further emphasized the state’s vision to expand market facilities to reduce congestion and improve accessibility, expressing confidence that the upcoming plans would be beneficial for the people. He concluded with a prayer for a better future, saying, “I pray that God continues to preserve us for better days ahead.”
Sani Umar, Chairman of the Katako Market, expressed gratitude to the Governor for his timely visit and highlighted the market’s long-standing issues. He noted that the market had suffered fire incidents 39 times, largely due to a lack of firefighting equipment, inadequate water supply, and poor market layout.
Umar revealed that the sections of the market, including wood, clothing, and carpenter stalls, were completely destroyed in the blaze, with millions of naira worth of property lost.
