The Kogi government on Friday directed contractors handling the Lokoja Ultra Modern Market to sustain an improved pace of work and meet the required quality standards.

The directive followed an on-site inspection and monthly project review meeting involving stakeholders from the ministries of housing, works, and commerce and industry.

The review, chaired by the commissioner for housing and urban development, Taiye Abanika, assessed progress and addressed technical issues affecting project delivery.

Representing the commissioner for commerce and industry, Muhammed Shuaibu, permanent secretary Sualihat Musa-Amana commended the progress recorded on the project.

Mr Shuaibu, however, urged greater commitment from the project team, saying residents expected a facility that would surpass existing market standards.

He also commended members of the project committee for their continued participation and commitment to the review process.

During the meeting, stakeholders examined updates from the previous review and inspected the drainage system around the warehouse section.

The committee directed that sections expected to handle heavy water volumes should be enlarged where necessary to improve drainage capacity.

It also directed that the required technical specifications and corrections be formally communicated to the contractor for implementation.

The contractor reported that wall tile samples had been selected and approved, while approved floor tiles were being procured.

Stakeholders also reviewed toilet facilities, noting that floor tiling remained incomplete, although materials were already being sourced for the work.

The contractor submitted a revised programme of works reflecting the project’s current status for further consideration by stakeholders.

The committee agreed to study the programme and circulate it through the project’s official communication platform for additional review.

On warehouse automation, the contractor said the automated doors being installed had battery backups capable of operating for up to 30 minutes.

It added that a manual remote-control override had also been provided to maintain access during prolonged power outages.

Stakeholders directed that partition walls between individual stalls and warehouse compartments should extend fully to secure traders’ goods.

They said full-height partitions would also prevent unauthorised movement between adjoining stalls and warehouse compartments within the market.

The contractor confirmed that partition-wall construction was already ongoing across the affected sections of the project.

On possible stall relocation, the contractor explained that construction was based strictly on the approved design and existing project specifications.

It said any units intended to be mobile would require separate written instructions before changes could be made.

Stakeholders also sought clarification on the regular presence of the project supervisor during site meetings and discussed a request for additional office equipment.

The contractor presented its progress report covering Aug. 13 to Sept. 11, which stakeholders received with commendation.

Stakeholders observed visible improvements in the pace and quality of work compared with the previous review and site inspection.

Commissioner for works, Deedat Salami, commended the contractor’s performance and urged the team to sustain the standard achieved.

Mr Salami said government recognition would be reserved for contractors demonstrating genuine commitment to quality delivery and project execution.

He said such commendation was intended to motivate the contractor to maintain and improve the current standard of work.

The commissioner expressed optimism that further progress would be recorded before the next project review meeting scheduled for the end of September.

Stakeholders expressed confidence that the improved pace would continue as the government works towards delivering the market to international standards.

 (NAN)