CAN youth kick against Lalong’s negotiation with Jaiz Bank for reconstruction of Jos market worth N10 billion

The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) Plateau State chapter has urged Governor Simon Lalong to urgently suspend negotiation with an Islamic Bank, Jaiz Bank, for the reconstruction of the burnt Jos modern market to the tune of N10 billion.

Our correspondent recall that recently the media was awash with report alleging that the All Progressives Congress, APC government in Plateau State, led by Simon Lalong, has conceded ownership of the Jos main Market to Jaiz Bank after spending over one billion naira to demolish the structure in 2020.

Plateau State YOWICAN chairman Pharm. Markus Kanda Audu and Nehemiah Michael, Secretary respectively made their position known while addressing Journalists at the CAN Secretariat in Jos. They warned that by giving Jaiz bank over 60 percent control of the market when completed is perceived to be enslavement and destiny-mortgage agenda.

According to the duo, Governor Lalong should have first of all embarked on a wider consultation and mobilization to engage the people at community levels with the view to sensitize them and seek their consent before embarking on the project.

YOWICAN also noted that the terms and condition of the engagement has been unknown untill the revelation that made it way on the social media which has generated the most heated criticism and condemnation.

They argued that Jaiz Bank engaged for the reconstruction of the modern market is an Islamic bank, the happening around the globe and in Nigeria with particular attention to the Plateau State suggests that every reasonable men will seek to required some explanation to assuage the fears that engaging the bank to grant loan to Plateau State Government in this manner and magnitude should required more than simply information circulating on the social media space.

“Flowing from the above, we demand that the Government of Rt. Hon Barr (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong should Suspend any/ all process(es) in this ongoing damning negotiations and engagement with JAIZ Bank forthwith and Commence a wider consultation to be engaged at community levels via a state wide awareness and mobilization to sensitize the people and seek their consent just as the issue of the previously attempted ranching and grazing reserve issues and leave its recommendation for the next government;

The CAN Youth group also urged the Plateau State Government to Concentrate on completing the ongoing and abandoned projects and not bother engaging a new one, saying is obviously cannot settle for given the realities and circumstances

“Governor Lalong administration should show respect to the plight and apprehensions displayed and demonstrated by her Citizens and stay every further action in this same direction in relation to the Jaiz Bank perceived enslavement and destiny-mortgage agenda at least, there is a lot for the Government to do to achieve a better result of pleasing and impressing the Plateau people than sinking the entire boat at this eleventh hour”.