Abia Mail, the name given to the Shoprite outlet in Umuahia, Abia State capital, opened for business Thursday morning with thousands of Abians trooping to the massive departmental store to satisfy their curiousity.

The mall location, between Umuwaya Road by Uwalaka Street and Umuwaya Road by Obowo Street, is better known as Old Garki.

The mall, believed to have the potential to change the face of business in the Abia State capital, was one of the economic projects started by Senator Theodore Orji when he was governor of the state. It is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the government-owned Abia Retail Company Limited and a private developer.

Thousands of shoppers trooped to the vast departmental store, inaugurated by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, to buy their needs.

Speaking with Journalists after the inauguration, Senator Orji said that he was happy that the projects has finally been completed, adding that it would boost the economy of the state and contribute to the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

Orji allayed the fears of Umuahia traders over the likelihood of bad business due to the presence of Shoprite in the city, saying that the shopping mall was meant for a class of people while the shop owners in the city would continue to enjoy the patronage of their customers.

The Abia Central Senator recalled that obstacles dotted the early stages of the project and expressed happiness that “today it has come to fruition and it has become one of the legacy projects that will stand the test of time.”

Project Director of the company that designed and built the Abia shopping Mall, Mr. Chuka Okoye, told Journalists that they are in the business of designing and developing shopping malls across Nigeria, disclosing that they built shopping malls in Enugu, Ilorin, Ibadan, Onitsha and Owerri.

“We believe that every state in Nigeria should have a retail mall as in other nations, he said, adding that Umuahia was well positioned to have a shopping mall and residents would definitely enjoy the low prices and quality goods.

He noted that the project was commenced before Nigeria’s economy plunged into recession hence the execution of the project was not adversely affected by the harsh economic climate, adding that the Abia Shopping Mall is a long term project.

•Photo shows Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu cutting the tape to officially inaugurate Abia mall in Umuahia. With him from L-R are Sir Udeh Oko Chukwu, Deputy Governor; Former Governor of Abia State and Senator Rep. Abia Central Senatorial District, Theodore Orji; Mr. Chuka Okoye, M/D Abia Mall Umuahia (behind the Governor); Member Rep. Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Sam Onuigbo; and an Elder statesman Dr. Anagha Ezikpe.

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