The Niger State Government and stakeholders from Suleja have agreed to further consultations over the proposed development of a market at Field Base, Suleja, following concerns raised about the project.

The decision was reached on Wednesday during an interactive meeting held at the Conference Hall of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Minna.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Suleja Emirate Council and other stakeholders to seek clarification on the proposed project, including its scope and implementation plan.

Among the concerns raised were the portion of land earmarked for the project, the proposed design, expected benefits to residents, security implications and the extent of consultation with the host community.

The stakeholders stressed that they were not opposed to development that would improve the lives of residents and boost economic activities in Suleja. However, they called for adequate information and broader engagement before a final decision is reached.

The SSG, Abubakar Usman, was represented at the meeting by the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Adamu Bello Agwara.

Responding to the concerns, Mr Agwara assured the stakeholders that the state government would not embark on any action that would run contrary to the interests of the people of Suleja.

He said the government remained committed to infrastructural and economic development while maintaining dialogue with communities affected by its projects.

“The concerns raised will be communicated to the appropriate authorities for further consideration,” the commissioner said.

He stressed that continued dialogue and mutual understanding were necessary to ensure that the proposed project addressed the needs and concerns of the people.

The meeting ended without a final agreement on the project, with both sides expected to engage in further consultations.

If approved and implemented, the proposed market is expected to stimulate commercial activities, create economic opportunities and contribute to the development of Suleja and neighbouring communities.