Jimeta Ultra Modern Market: Why Government Should Never Hold Back

Yola, Adamawa - September 24, 2025

The recent actions of the Adamawa State Government regarding the Jimeta Ultra Modern Market have stirred conversations across the state, leaving many to reflect on the sincerity and resolve behind the decision. The directive to demolish illegal attachments and structures that had defaced the original design and purpose of the market has raised important questions, not just about urban order, but also about governance, political will, and public interest.

Before Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s intervention, successive administrations had made similar attempts to restore the market to its original status. Unfortunately, these efforts failed for different reasons: either due to a lack of political will to confront what was both illegal and detrimental to public health, or simply out of administrative mediocrity. The attachments that sprang up over the years created not only an eyesore but also a public health and safety hazard, undermining the very essence of establishing a modern market.

In some cases, past leaders faltered because of undue political pressure. Governors who made initial moves to address the problem later bowed to the influence of political cronies, individuals more concerned with ego and patronage than with the broader public good. Their interference not only stalled corrective measures but also encouraged illegality by protecting vested interests.

Adding to the challenge was the role of third-party stakeholders, including some trade unions and officials, who, despite being legally recognized entities, exploited the situation for personal gain. By trading these spaces and allowing unregulated structures to thrive, they enriched themselves at the expense of ordinary traders. These traders were then left vulnerable, facing heavy losses whenever the government decided to enforce regulations.

Yet, despite criticism from certain quarters, the government’s decision has been widely welcomed by many observers and citizens who believe the market has finally regained its sanity, order, and original purpose. Governor Fintiri’s bold move deserves commendation. His action demonstrates that laws in Adamawa State are not merely ornamental, they can bark and bite. And sometimes, it is this “sting” of the law that restores meaning to governance.

Now, with sanity restored at the Jimeta Ultra Modern Market, the concern is not about Governor Fintiri’s resolve, he has already proven his political will, but about the sustainability of these reforms after his tenure. If government is indeed a continuum, then future administrations must recognize the importance of consistency. The market’s previous chaotic state is a reminder of how easily negligence or political compromise can erode public order.

It is therefore imperative that whoever succeeds Governor Fintiri should not only uphold but also strengthen the enforcement of these regulations. The rules must remain sacrosanct if the Jimeta Ultra Modern Market is to continue serving its purpose as a hub of commerce, safety, and dignity. Governance finds its true meaning not only in bold reforms but also in sustaining them for the collective good.

Aaron Isaac, Hicia News