By Milcah Tanimu
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has initiated the renovation project for the Panteka fabrication market, envisioning it to become a central hub for skills development and technological advancement in the Northern region. The market’s chairman, Alhaji Sule Gujiya, joined Governor Sani and Prof. Idris Bugaje at the inauguration ceremony.
Governor Sani outlined the plans for the remodeled Panteka market, which will feature modern facilities, access roads, and amenities to attract traders from neighboring states and stimulate economic activity. The revamped market will include access roads, a clinic, fire service facilities, restrooms, an ICT center, and skill acquisition centers aimed at creating job opportunities and fostering investment.
Expressing his dedication to uplifting the livelihoods of the people, Governor Sani emphasized the importance of providing power infrastructure to the new Panteka market.
Prof. Idris Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), highlighted the significance of the Panteka market, which currently accommodates 38,000 artisans and apprentices receiving training in various skills. He described Panteka as the largest informal technology hub in Africa, renowned for its contribution to job creation, poverty alleviation, and youth empowerment.
Bugaje underscored the market’s partnership with Kaduna Polytechnic since 2021, aimed at formalizing skills training within the market. He noted that some apprentices had already graduated in November 2023, indicating the market’s commitment to skill development and certification.
Bugaje emphasized Panteka’s historical importance in the growth of Kaduna City and its transformation into a respected institution recognized nationwide and across ECOWAS countries. He announced the market’s upgraded status as a full-fledged Training Centre, granted by the NBTE, which will facilitate more apprentices obtaining certification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
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