Abia approves relocation of electronic dealers, others to Aba Mega Mall

Abia State Market Development Committee, created by the state government to remodel, upgrade and manage existing markets in the state, has approved the relocation of dealers on electronics, general system for mobile communications (GSM) and movies, among others in Aba, to the Aba Mega Mall.

The affected traders, who have been giving May 1, 2016 deadline to relocate to the newly constructed modern market, include those currently at St. Michael Road, Pound Road, Hospital Road, Ngwa Road and Asa triangle.

Aba Mega Mall situated at Osisioma area of Aba, adjacent to the Osisioma Motor Park, is promoted by Greenfield Assets Management Limited, an indigenous infrastructure development firm.

The first phase of the project, which provided about 1000 shops, was commissioned in May 2015, while construction for the second phase is ongoing.

The facility on completion will be a purpose-built smart mall community with 100,000 square metres of retail space for shopping, a multiplex movie theatre, bank, its own transportation system, a dry port for wholesale distribution and more.

With a projected development cost of $300 million, Aba Mega Mall is expected to be the biggest shopping mall in Africa.

It is the avowed determination and commitment of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, to regenerate Aba and arrest the deplorable state of the markets in the commercial city.

The Governor, constituted the Abia State Committee on Market Development on August 24, 2015 with the mandate to among other things to engage various stakeholders to remodel, upgrade and manage our existing markets, not only for viable economic activities, but also for improvement of revenue generation to the government.

Economic activities in Abia remain predominantly in the hands of the informal sector. A large percentage of the economic activities of the private sector are driven by the daily activities in our markets.

Whilst the Government makes efforts to attract industries and provide enabling environment for the development and growth of cottage industries, which is the mainstay of the economy of the state, the contribution of the markets are not only to be sustained, but significantly enhanced to ensure even and steady growth of the state business community.

Hence, the need to remodel and reconstruct major markets in Abia State, as well as develop new modern markets to further advance the economy of the state.

Aba, is the eye of Abia State, as it hosts patrons from other States of the federation as well as neighbouring countries like Cameroon, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, among other sub-Saharan African countries.

Aba remains the foremost commercial, industrial and entertainment city of not just Abia State, but the entire Southeast region of the country. It is also the melting pot for all the Igbo race in their commercial and business adventurism.

Aba before now was in a State of decay and everybody knows that the previous administrations in the State abandoned the city, which resulted to failed infrastructure in the area.

To restore the city to its former glory, the present administration in the State, has embarked on an urban renewal programme, geared towards opening up urban roads and drainages that have been blocked by street traders and other residents.