For residents of Ebonyi state, especially residents of Abakaliki – the State capital , a new shopping experience would be witnessed in the State, as the Ebonyi shopping has officially opened for business.
The facility managers – 3rdRetail Africa made this known, Monday in a press conference at Abakaliki, the State capital.
Addressing journalists during the conference, the Managing Partner of the 3rdRetail Africa, Eze Igwe described the Ebonyi Mall as the biggest shopping mall in West Africa, comparing its edifice to the Dubai Mall.
He disclosed that the facility managers would soon flood the mall with notable retail brands such as Miniso, Samsung, LG, Gree and Lontor, GAC Motors, Mondo, Ceilo, Puma and others.
He said the mall has begun hosting brands like Fine Brothers, De Choice Restaurants, Skyfall Spa, and Pax Pharmacy, among others.
His words: Welcome to the Magnificent Ebonyi Mall, the biggest Mall in West Africa. This breathtaking edifice is modelled after the Dubai Mall with additional features to reflect our identity and promote our state. We are proud to announce that one of Nigeria’s biggest retail brands, Everyday Supermarket which is the anchor tenant in the mall is finally ready to open its doors and give the teeming consumers of Ebonyi State and its environs an exciting shopping experience.”
While commending the developmental gaits of Governor David Umahi-led government in the state, Igwe said the socio-economic impact of the mall on Ebonyi citizens would be vastly immemorial.
He also disclosed that the mall has already generated at least “300 jobs,” saying “at full capacity, this mall will have over 2,000 direct workforces with the benefits of income and wealth creation which will have a significant multiplier effect on the economy of the state.”
He also stated that the mall would lead to growth in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and an increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Ebonyi State, adding that it was positioned to be an investment destination in southern Nigeria and to play a major role in poverty reduction in the state.
Igwe said the facility managers had witnessed an amazing social transformation in Ebonyi State in the past couple of years and also observed that the consumption index has increased significantly.
He described the development as a visible feature of a cosmopolitan city and a clear indicator of a rapidly growing emerging economy.
He expressed the business group’s confidence that the returns on investment to the state would exceed expectations even in the medium term.
He announced that the 3rdRetail Africa has concluded a plan to put together a Food, Drink, Dance and Shopping Carnival, which in his words, would run between Monday 12th December to Sunday 18th December 2022 as part of the 2022 end-year activities.
The event according to him, would be as entertaining and rewarding for the consumers and businesses at the mall.
