Onitsha Businesses Look to Aba for South-East Corridor Expansion
November 25, 2014 | Filed under: Exclusive,main story | Author: GODFREY OFURUM
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Trading businesses in Onitsha, which has one of West-Africa’s largest concentraton of commercial activities are looking to Aba for a south-east expansion, on the back of the imposing Aba Mega Mall, which is currently under construction in Abia state of Nigeria.

The $300 million Aba Mega Mall project, promoted by Greenfield Assets Limited, an infrastructure development firm, to boost commercial activities in the region, sits on 25 hectares land and will on completion, consist of 5,830 ultramodern shops in four sizes of 12sq meters, 16sq meters, 24sq meters and 48sq meters respectively.

The facility will have provision for banks, security post; 25,000sq meters climate-controlled warehouse space, restaurants, entertainment centres, childrens’ play area and a massive parking space for over 5,000 cars.

Meanwhile the South-East Amalgamated Traders Association (SEAMATA), an umbrella body of traders in the South-East region of the country, has endorsed the project, which they describe as laudable.

The traders body urged their members across the country to support the project which they say is good for the region, as it is providing the needed infrastructure to ensure that they regain their place in commerce in Africa.

[b]Also on Sunday, over 120 business leaders, cutting across various markets in Onitsha, Anambra State and representatives of the business section of Onitsha Sports Club, took a tour of the facility, located at Osisioma area of Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State.

Innocent Agudiegwu, chairman, Onitsha Main Market, who led the group to Aba, to ascertain the extent of work at the facility, argued that it would change the face of trading and commerce in the South-East region.

“I am very impressed with what I have seen here today. What they are doing here is fantastic. You cannot get something like this in Onitsha. We have been expecting this kind of thing and God has brought it to our doorsteps and we are going to buy into it, “Agudiegwu said.

Ugo Umeseaka, managing director, Aba Mega Mall Limited, told BusinessDay that about 1,000 traders in Onitsha have indicated interest in buying shops in the mall. Umesiaka further said a cross section of traders from various markets in Onitsha had been taken to see the extent of work at the mall.

These, he said, included those who have collected their allotment papers to identify where their shops are.
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He attributed the fast pace of work at the mall to hard work and the grace of God. “We also believe that this project is a vision for the entire South-East and we are custodians of the vision and we are working hard to make sure it is realised and in good time, knowing that it will affect trade and commerce, it will drive poverty away and improve on the way people live in the Southeast.

“It will also attract foreign patrons and improve international trade, as many people from all parts of the world would trade comfortably, because of the facilities we offer.

He further said, “This is not your normal open market structure. There is security, constant power supply and a bonded terminal. It comes with a total package that supports any level of commerce all over.

“They are happy with the quality of work and we are assuring that we would maintain it and that in the shortest possible time, they would be buying and selling in the mall,” he promised.

Tony Orji, branch manager, First City Monument Bank, Faulks Road Branch, one of the major financiers of the project, assured the traders that the sum of N3.6 billion, the total money for the first phase of the project is ready.

Orji however explained that the project money was being released in tranches, and that the first tranche of N725 million has gone into the project already.

He commended the management of Green Field Assets Limited, owners of the mall, for prudent management of resources.

According to him, they have been frugal and transparent in the deployment of the money released to them. “That money was meant for ten structures but we are seeing is 15 structures springing up, which means that they have utilised the money well.

“The second tranche will be released soon. So the issue of funds has been taken care of, because we are seeing what the money is being used for. And we are happy that they have even surpassed what they were given.

“We are excited; doing this shop has given us that comfort that everybody will get their shops as they make their contribution. Another good thing about this project is that the company is not using off-checkers money to build. The money they pay is in their account and will not be touched until they complete their contribution, “he affirmed.

GODFREY OFURUM

http://businessdayonline.com/2014/11/onitsha-businesses-look-to-aba-for-south-east-corridor-expansion/#.VHSot8kjIdU

Things can only get better in Ala Igbo. This the time for industrialist and business men to come to the South East for investments and business. Already eagle eyed investors who can see huge profits and turnover from a distance are trooping to South East, Nigeria for investments. Why not you ? Your competitors are exploring, investing, developing and making good profits from Nigeria's huge South East markets. Why not you.

Ala Igbo Adila Mma !!!

Op, I love you, no homo. you keep making us proud with your reports

Nice one, looking for the day a direct rail will be going to Onicha to Aba straight.

No picture of this 300 million USD mall?

OkijaAmaka:
Nice one, looking for the day a direct rail will be going to Onicha to Aba straight.

The plan for that is almost completed by FG

Anambra adibago mma.

Omo ibos dey try well well. My sweetheart is Ibo boy.

Any renders of the project? And if it's presently under construction how comes there's no pics anywhere?

I take any 'positive' news coming out of Abia with a truck load of salt......the Governor there is a huge disappointment!

IGBOSON1:
Any renders of the project? And if it's presently under construction how comes there's no pics anywhere?

I take any 'positive' news coming out of Abia with a truck load of salt......the Governor there is a huge disappointment!

My brother, this project started last year when the MoU was signed. FCMB Bank won't invest huge money there if this project was a joke.

RareDiamond:


My brother, this project started last year when the MoU was signed. FCMB Bank won't invest huge money there if this project was a joke.

^^^Yeah, but if it started last year surely by now we should be seeing some pics of on-going construction works.....as well as renders or a 3-D video of the project!?

IGBOSON1:


^^^Yeah, but if it started last year surely by now we should be seeing some pics of on-going construction works.....as well as renders or a 3-D video of the project!?

Well, it is left for nairalanders who live close to the project to update us with pictures. People of Imo and Abia States are not loud mouthed people, so don't expect them to brag about the project.

RareDiamond:
Things can only get better in Ala Igbo. This the time for industrialist and business men to come to the South East for investments and business. Already eagle eyed investors who can see huge profits and turnover from a distance are trooping to South East, Nigeria for investments. Why not you ? Your competitors are exploring, investing, developing and making good profits from Nigeria's huge South East markets. Why not you.

Ala Igbo Adila Mma !!!

God bless you brother,. God bless Igboland..

IGBOSON1:
Any renders of the project? And if it's presently under construction how comes there's no pics anywhere?

I take any 'positive' news coming out of Abia with a truck load of salt......the Governor there is a huge disappointment!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1maxT9emA8

zlatansomto:
God bless you brother,. God bless Igboland..

Thanks brother

Powerd by sons of d soil as usual

more about the mall on their official site
www.abamegamall.com/

Oment7:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1maxT9emA8

^^^Thanks Osment!

I posted this same clip sometime last year....together with ones planned for Owerri and Enugu! I thought of these same 3-D videos when i saw this thread, but when i read 'Mall' i said to myself it couldn't possibly be any of these since they're not technically malls as we know them to be!

This is nice, but it's not a mall!

Anything short of a big name like Julius Berger being contracted to build it, and we'll end up with another substandard T.A Orji project!

RareDiamond:


Well, it is left for nairalanders who live close to the project to update us with pictures. People of Imo and Abia States are not loud mouthed people, so don't expect them to brag about the project.

you hav spoken well frm observation...

waternogetemeny:
T.A Orji is a failure. In 8years as Gov this is the nonsense 3D animation video he has to show?



T.A OrJI is a failure. In 8years as Gov when other states are boasting of Foreign Direct Investment from Multi-national Company, he is boasting of attracting Onitsha traders to Aba?



Where is Ihejirika?

^^^Hehehehehe

@ IGBOSON1 Bros,this is not a T A Orji project. I personally visited the site 2 months ago when I went to Aba and can attest that work is going on there day and night. The Procurement and inspection officer happens to be a very close family friend of mine. He is from Abiriba but I don't want to mention his name here. Believe me,the market will be ready before the end of March 2015

Oment7:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1maxT9emA8

Wow !!! The mall is really beautiful, big and spacious.

so is the video posted a true and correct representation of the mega mall? (upon completion, that is).

any chance you can supply us with detailed pics? (if you have the connection you have told us that you have).

konjakonja:
@ IGBOSON1 Bros,this is not a T A Orji project. I personally visited the site 2 months ago when I went to Aba and can attest that work is going on there day and night. The Procurement and inspection officer happens to be a very close family friend of mine. He is from Abiriba but I don't want to mention his name here. Believe me,the market will be ready before the end of March 2015

Bro, what will you call the (3-D) building in the video, then?

And I hope you know there are different types of malls? strip mall being one of 'em.

IGBOSON1:


^^^Thanks Osment!

I posted this same clip sometime last year....together with ones planned for Owerri and Enugu! I thought of these same 3-D videos when i saw this thread, but when i read 'Mall' i said to myself it couldn't possibly be any of these since they're not technically malls as we know them to be!

This is nice, but it's not a mall!

Anything short of a big name like Julius Berger being contracted to build it, and we'll end up with another substandard T.A Orji project!

IGBOSON1:
Any renders of the project? And if it's presently under construction how comes there's no pics anywhere?

I take any 'positive' news coming out of Abia with a truck load of salt......the Governor there is a huge disappointment!

the render used to here on nl.
you can Google it

waternogetemeny:
T.A Orji is a failure. In 8years as Gov this is the nonsense 3D animation video he has to show?



T.A OrJI is a failure. In 8years as Gov when other states are boasting of Foreign Direct Investment from Multi-national Company, he is boasting of attracting Onitsha traders to Aba?



Where is Ihejirika?

And what's wrong about Onitsha traders?

.
.
The project is powered by the private sector, as much as I know. T.a. orji has nothing to do with the mall.

waternogetemeny:
T.A Orji is a failure. In 8years as Gov this is the nonsense 3D animation video he has to show?



T.A OrJI is a failure. In 8years as Gov when other states are boasting of Foreign Direct Investment from Multi-national Company, he is boasting of attracting Onitsha traders to Aba?



Where is Ihejirika?

Remarkable:
so is the video posted a true and correct representation of the mega mall? (upon completion, that is).

any chance you can supply us with detailed pics? (if you have the connection you have told us that you have).

The video is a correct representation of the mega mall,I'm a living witness to that.I will visit Aba next month, I promise to take pictures of the ongoing work there.

T

This is a laudable project.

maclatunji:
This is a laudable project.

^^^Just so long as it doesn't get K-leg and morph into a laughable one!