Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has commissioned the newly reconstructed Modibbo Adama Modern Market, Yola, marking the end of years of recurring fire outbreaks and poor trading conditions that plagued one of the state’s oldest commercial hubs.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday, Governor Fintiri said the completion of the market fulfilled his administration’s promise to restore the historic trading centre, improve public safety, and protect the livelihoods of thousands of traders.
The Governor officially renamed the facility Modibbo Adama Modern Market, Yola, describing it as a symbol of urban renewal and economic revitalisation.
According to him, the market was deliberately designed to eliminate the recurring fire incidents that had, over the years, destroyed goods worth millions of naira and left many families in financial distress.
The modern market features 936 shops, comprising 816 lock-up shops and 120 open stalls, alongside wider access roads to enable the easy movement of emergency vehicles, particularly fire engines. It is also equipped with a comprehensive water distribution system, overhead water tanks, strategically located fire hydrants, modern toilet facilities, desilted drainage channels, and a central administrative block to enhance efficient market management.
Governor Fintiri disclosed that the government increased the number of shops allocated to affected traders from the initial 307 submitted by the market union to 350, creating an additional 43 shops to ensure that more victims of previous fire disasters were accommodated.
He also noted that the entire project was executed by indigenous contractors and professionals, describing the successful delivery as proof of the competence of local expertise.
“It is a good testimony that with good supervision, our local contractors can perform exceedingly well. We didn’t only empower the contractors; we gave them an opportunity to prove their worth, which they did,” the Governor said.
Reflecting on the market’s history of repeated fire outbreaks, Fintiri observed that previous administrations had failed to provide lasting solutions, while many residents had attributed the disasters to myths and superstitious beliefs.
“As a government, we went all out to subdue the situation and put in place a lasting solution,” he said, describing the project as “one problem seen and one problem solved.”
To ensure the sustainability of the facility, the Governor directed the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industries to immediately engage professional facility managers to oversee the maintenance, security, and sanitation of the market. He also urged traders to take ownership of the facility by maintaining cleanliness and protecting the infrastructure from vandalism.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Hon. Joab Haggai, described the reconstructed market as a permanent solution to the recurring fire disasters that had devastated the old market for decades. He highlighted the modern facilities provided and appealed to beneficiaries to make proper use of the shops while maintaining the infrastructure.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Yola South Local Government Area, Hon. Salihu Malkohi, commended Governor Fintiri for delivering a lasting solution to the persistent fire incidents, noting that the new market would stimulate commerce, create employment opportunities, and strengthen the local economy.
In his remarks, the Lamido of Adamawa, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, represented by the Galadima Adamawa, Alhaji Mustapha Aminu, lauded Governor Fintiri for transforming the historic Yola Market into a modern commercial complex. He described the project as a landmark achievement that has enhanced the physical landscape of Yola and improved the trading environment for generations to come.
