Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Kaduna, Dr. Idris Bugaje, has said that he had no hand in the demolition of the Panteka Market in Kaduna.
Speaking at the graduation of Panteka Artisans, under the National Skills Qualification (NSQ) certification, Bugaje, decried how former governor Nasir el-Rufa’i displaced ordinary traders in the markets he demolished and reconstructed.
He alleged that the newly constructed shops, especially in Kasuwan-Barchi Market, were being sold to people who have nothing to do with the market.
Bugaje said the NBTE presented a proposal on Panteka market, and el-Rufa’i promised that the people of Panteka would not be displaced. He added that he did not support the former governor on many issues, including the demolition of Panteka.
The NDTE ES said he was delighted that Uba Sani, who succeeded el-Rufa’i as governor, has shown interest in promoting skills acquisition and will not tow the path of his predecessor.
Bugaje said, amongst others: “I am not condemning el-Rufa’i; but Uba Sani has human feelings, he has a human heart. I did not support the former governor on many issues (including the demolition of) Panteka market”.
“In the last government, we saw how ordinary traders were displaced in markets, such as Kasuwan-Barchi, where modern buildings were erected; and people who had nothing to do with the market were buying the shops. In shaa Allah, this will not happen in Panteka”, he stated.
