By Okey Maduforo Awka .
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra had announced moves to revisit the Nkwo Nnewi Shopping Mall abandoned for the past 17 years .
Similarly Soludo is currently sourcing for locations for the construction of a Housing Estate in the industrial town noting that the town must reclaim it’s pride of place as a major industrial town.
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The tour, which spanned several critical sectors of the city, served as a diagnostic mission to identify infrastructure bottlenecks that have long stifled Nnewi’s commercial potential.
The most prominent stop on the Governor’s itinerary was the Nkwo Nnewi Triangle, home to a shopping complex that has remained a shell of unfulfilled promise for 17 years. Standing before the structure,
Governor Soludo expressed frustration at the protracted stagnation.
“It is unacceptable that public assets intended to drive commerce have been left to rot for nearly two decades,” Governor Soludo remarked. “We are here to draw a line in the sand. This facility will no longer be a monument to neglect; we are moving swiftly to restore it to productive use to serve the people of Nnewi.”
Beyond the shopping mall, the Governor inspected the Post Office vicinity and high court premises.
His vision involves integrating these legacy sites into a cohesive, contemporary urban plan that enhances accessibility and elevates the standards of public service.
Furthermore, the Governor scouted locations for strategic housing developments. Officials noted that providing high-quality residential infrastructure is essential to sustaining Nnewi’s expanding workforce and maintaining its competitive edge as a commercial hub.
Governor Soludo articulated a broader vision for the city, emphasizing that his administration is aggressively mapping out underutilized open spaces. The goal is to repurpose it for public parks, recreational areas, and new commercial ventures.
“Our strategy is simple: we are unlocking the hidden value of Nnewi,” the Governor explained during a brief interaction with local stakeholders. “By converting dormant open spaces into vibrant public parks and productive facilities, we are not just fixing buildings—we are stimulating local commerce and reclaiming Nnewi’s rightful place as the premier industrial nerve center of the region.”
The inspection concluded with the Governor signaling that tangible construction and redevelopment efforts are slated to begin in the coming weeks.
