• The Ultra Modern International Makurdi Market, built by the Governor Gabriel Suswam administration in 2015, remains unutilized and has become derelict.
• The market, which boasts over 1,000 fire-proof shops, police post, banking hall, and other amenities, was intended to be a model business center in Benue State.
• Despite efforts by the Samuel Ortom administration to put the market to use, it remains abandoned, with only a handful of petty traders selling food items in the parking lot.

The Ultra Modern International Makurdi Market, built by the Governor Gabriel Suswam administration in 2015, was intended to be a model business center in Benue State. However, despite its promising start, the market remains unutilized and has become derelict.

The market boasts over 1,000 fire-proof shops, police post, banking hall, public toilets, motorized borehole, fire station, warehouses, restaurants, clinic, and abattoir. However, since its commissioning, the market has not been put to use, and its potential economic benefits have been lost.

The Samuel Ortom administration made attempts to relocate traders from the popular Wurukum Market to the new market, but the traders resisted, and the matter ended up in court. Meanwhile, the market remained abandoned, with only a handful of petty traders selling food items in the parking lot.

Traders blame the location of the market and lack of incentives from the government for their reluctance to occupy the shops. They suggest that the government provide transportation to the market and offer incentives to encourage traders to take up the shops.

The Benue State government has lost significant revenue due to the market’s non-utilization. However, the current administration, led by Governor Hyacinth Alia, has promised to revive the market and make it functional.