Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki on Monday broke ground for construction of a Sh300 million modern market in Ganga Ward, Chuka Igamba Ng’ombe.
Njuki said he wass grateful to President William Ruto for allocating funds through the department of Public Works for its construction as part of his bottom up economic approach in uplifting and transforming lives of women and other traders.
He said the ongoing construction will employ more than 200 people under supervision of Public works and County Government officers.
“We are here to make history bringing down 40 year old market to pave way for a new modern one. It will be the largest and most decent in the county and will consist of underground loading and offloading bay. We will have sewing machines area, Wi-fi and digital stores, offices, Town Hall, hotel and food courts,” he said, adding that construction will take eight months.
Njuki said the devolved unit’s objective was to provide a conducive environment to conduct business for all traders.
“This is only ground breaking, we anticipate the President will be here once it is complete to officially commission it,” Njuki said.
“I thank all the people who are involved in this process. During our campaign time, the President promised to construct this market. By then, he said three other markets would be built in Tharaka Nithi County, Chuka, Chogoria and Marimanti,” Njuki added.
Construction of the market is a partnership between County and National Government’s department of Public works.
Njuki warned the contractor that labour should be sourced from the local community.
“If you get jobs here, don’t misuse the money by indulging into alcohol consumption and forget there is the next day,” Njuki said.
He urged traders to cooperate and desist from challenging the construction as such people will be an enemy to development.
Tharaka Nithi County assembly speaker John Mbaabu said the market will provide a good environment for traders.
He castigated leaders opposed to Njuki saying they have nothing to show but only rhetorical politics.
“No leader was elected to supervise the other. Every leader will be judged not by inciting goons to disrupt the governor’s meetings but by development projects they achieved. Most of the government funds are left at the national treasury, why can’t other leaders lobby like Njuki?” Mbaabu posed.
Murithi Gaturo said it was shameful for leaders to pay goons to cause mayhem and castigating development conscious leaders, and asked traders to be patient.
“The upcoming market will have enough space for everyone and because I know there will be some challenges after relocating to allow construction, bear with the situation since it will be short lived. I believe everyone will be impressed with the outcome once the market is launched,” Gaturo said.
