Abakiliki — Ebonyi State government has said plans are underway for the construction of an ultra-modern international market expected to gulp about N9.9 billion in Abakaliki, the state capital before the end of the year.

Governor Martin Elechi disclosed this during the formal presentation of the preliminary design of the market to the members of the State Executive Council, by the government consultants in the construction of the (market, the Integrated Consultants Nigeria), at the Government House, Abakaliki.

While thanking the consortium for working hard to come up with a good design, the governor also announced his administration's intention to liaise with financial institutions with a view to financing some of the various projects embarked upon by the state government.

The governor stated that apart from the market to be known as Abakaliki International Market, when completed which would be a major concern of the government, the government would also ensure that the proposed construction of an ultra-modern state secretariat is completed before the end of the year.

Earlier while presenting the preliminary design, the principal consultant of Integrated Consultants Nigeria, Mr. Azike Deribe said the project will cost over N9.91 billion, which will include concrete roofs for all the bungalow blocks of stalls and tiling on rolled sand bed.

The consultant said that due to the swampy nature of the place, all the finishing of the market stalls and shops would be of fair-faced concrete with brick tile facings, adding that the company will employ the use of stone-faced banking and concrete retaining walls to further maintain the river track and protect building structures closest to the river.

He disclosed that the proposed market is expected to have a total number of 2,400 bungalow blocks of stalls, four ware houses seven major parking lots, two storey blocks of shops of six number providing 70 shops with about 420 shops.

Also to provided there, are four number banks that will receive lease to build on the reserved lots to serve the market, two storey blocks providing 36 shops totalling about 144 shops as well as another two storey block providing 70 shops, totalling about 40 shops.

Other facilities include; 2,100 bungalow stalls, 144 shops of two storey blocks, a security towers, maintenance building which will house Administrative offices, works yard, generator house, fire service building and toilet blocks with about 64 restrooms for each gender.

According to the break down, trade centre will cost N668. 270 million, bungalow stalls cost over N2.8 billion, ware houses N428.80 million, car parks N7 million, 8 storey shops over N3 billion, security tower N19.44 million, maintenance building N75.2 million, fire service building N18.8 million, toilet bocks N30 million, road works N875 million, walkways/kerbs N81.04 million, two 500KVA generator N24 million, transformerN12 million, four water fountains N20 million as well as borehole& assoc. works N20 million.