The Onitsha branch of the famous South African retail stores, Shop rite last Thursday commenced business with residents of the area being jubilant over the ease the mall will afford them in shopping needs.
The mega mall which is the first of its stores in Anambra will be followed with the opening of the Awka and Nnewi branch, and will help its residents to ensure that their needs are met in one shop, and with affordable prices, the governor, Chief Willie Obiano said during the commissioning.
The governor assured residents of Onitsha and neighbouring town who have the intention of patronizing the shop yo be great assured of security as he has besides dedicating two american styled patrol vehicles to the mall also assigned police horse riders to maintain security in the area.
He also added that plans are on to ensure that the state government constructs a link road through the mall to Nkewlle Ezunaka community to ease the access to the mall for customers who are coming from Awka, the state capital.
Earlier, the representative of African Business Alliance, managers of the mall, Mazi Osita Okonkwo stated that the commencement of business in the mall will herald the influx of investors in the state.
“The project costs over N6billion, and this is an example of what can be achieved when private firms align with the government. The governor has offered us tremendous incentives, like the upgrading of the Park Road and the upgrading of our power line from 11 to 33 KVA.
” This is small compared to the kind of investment that will spring up in the state after now. Anambra is the place to be for any serious investor, and we can testify to that.”
The Secretary to the state government, Prof Solo Chukwuelobe who spoke on behalf of Anambra State Investment Protection and Promotion Agency(ANSIPPA) stated that the Obiano administration worked hard to ensure that the project was completed, and that Obiano put in 60% of the funds for the completion of the project.
He added that Awka and Nnewi branch of the mall will be followed, to ensure that they are also opened for business.
