Mayor Aki-Sawyerr was thrilled to officially commission the Wilberforce Village Market Complex today, delivering on her commitment to residents. During a meeting she held with market women and community stakeholders in 2018, the people of Wilberforce requested the completion of their market structure, which at the time had just a ground floor and pillars.

The project was initiated during the tenure of erstwhile Mayor, His Worship Franklyn Bode Gibson, in response to a community needs assessment. Its eventual completion under my tenure reflects the importance of continuity for sustainable development. Thanks to the solid foundation that had already been laid in securing the land for the market, we were able to move forward with the construction. Through innovation and creativity, we expanded the original vision to deliver more than just a traditional market.

The newly completed and commissioned facility comprises: a traditional wet goods market on the ground floor; a customized space on the second floor that will accommodate 11 shops for textiles and other dry goods; a well-appointed entertainment space with a built-in stage on the third floor; and stores in the basement and at the rear of the building. 

FCC is proud that the market construction cost of NLe5.5 million (5.5 billion old Leones) was largely funded by Council’s own source revenue, using the property rates and business licenses paid by Freetonians! FCC also received a generous donation of USD 200,000 from Bloomberg Philanthropies for which we are most grateful. To ensure its sustainability and continuous maintenance, FCC will engage a professional company to operate and manage the market complex.