Jos Market And Sentiments -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

The memorandum of understanding signed between Jaiz Bank and Plateau state government to rebuild the state’s ultramodern market which was gutted by fire during Dariye administration has continued to generate mixed reactions in the state. Ordinary, the benefits of the project in terms of attracting investment and job creation should have been the centre of debates or discussions among the people of the state . Sadly, this is not the case. The project is being viewed with the lenses of ethnic and religion suspicious. Some people in the state, including the supposedly enlighten ones have rejected the decision of Jaiz Bank to rebuild the market and recover its funds within specific period of time. Other indigenous people with narrow or shallow thinking have continued to whip religion sentiments and branded the lofty initiative as an attempt by the bank to Islamatize the state. Funny enough. If missionary schools did not convert Muslim to Christianity, I wonder how rebuilding of market will do same to our Christian brothers in Jos. Going back the memory lane, since its formation, Jaiz Bank had come under severe attacks by promoters and symphatizers of conventional banking. However, the difference between Jaiz and conventional banks lies on the “interest” and other “operations”. While most of the loans grant by Jaiz bank are interest free, reverse is the case in conventional banks. That is why, the rebuilding of market is interest free. 

It is reported, after the Bank recovers its fund, it will hand over the market to the state government for further management and revenues generation. The agreement did not state that, the rebuilding market will be handed over to any Muslim group to attract or warrant vituperations and sentiments. There is no gainsaying the facts, many states governments, including plateau state, are struggling to meet up with the financial obligations due to low revenues generation. For plateau state government to fund the project worth over 10 billions naira amidst financial crunch is not possible. No wonder, successive governments failed to rebuild the historical market due to high cost and huge fund they would sink on it. Instead of whipping needless religion or ethnic sentiments, the Plateau state people should rally the support for the building of gigantic project which has multipliers effects for job creation and poverty reduction. 

The success story of Sukuk roads projects implemented by federal government and financed by the Islamic development bank points how such interventions work. If i may ask, are these newly rehabilitated roads constructed in some South East states and other parts of the country being enjoyed by only Muslim? Certainly no. At 21century,nigerians should go beyond mis-uses of religion or our ethnic difference at the detriment of socio-economy development . Poverty and unemployment are not respecter of our ethnic or religion. I salute the courage of governor Simon Lalong who called spade a spade and explained the benefits deriveable from the project.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state 08169056963