The multi-billion naira Onitsha Shopping Mall located at the commercial nerve centre of Anambra State is to be commissioned Friday next week.

The Mall, being constructed at a cost of N90 billion, was started 30 months ago by former governor Peter Obi in collaboration with a private investor and is being completed by his successor, Governor Willie Obiano.

When News Express visited the site today, those who rented the shops were seen putting finishing touches and getting ready to start business after the commissioning.

The Mall has a land size of 40,000 square metres, with gross built area of 18,000 square metres and gross let-able area of 12,000 square metres with the capacity to accommodate 450 cars.

Adorning the side of the Mall are a four-star hotel, an international conference centre and a housing estate.

At the moment a road is being worked on as an access route to connect the Mall from the 33 area of Onitsha so as to beat the traffic gridlock around the Government Reserved Area (GRA), where the Mall is located.

Governor Obiano’s Special Adviser on Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Mark Okoye, who is also a member of the governing council of the Anambra State Investment and Promotion Agency (ANSIPA), said that the Anambra State Government has 15 per cent shares in the project, while African Capital Alliance has 85 per cent.

In his words, “From April 14 when commercial activities will take off at the Mall, about 10,000 jobs would have been created and the completion of the project is in line with the four pillars of development of Governor Obiano’s administration.

“Rather than undermine the activities of traders in all the existing markets in the area, the Mall will complement them as the Mall will be serving as a retail outlet for all the importers in the state.”

Also nearing completion are the Shoprite malls being constructed within the state capital, Awka, and in the industrial hub, Nnewi.

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