The Akwa Ibom State
Government has concluded plans
to develop a comprehensive data
base of qualified citizens for
possible employment at the now
remodeled Ibom Tropicana Mall.
This revelations was made
recently in Uyo by the Chairman,
Technical Committee on Foreign
Direct Investments , ( FDIs ) Mr.
Gabriel Ukpe during a maiden
meeting between the Mall
Managers, Median Infrastructural
Development Ltd, the lead
Anchor, Market Square and other
crucial stakeholders.
Ukpe stated that the state
government was embarking on
the collation of data of it’s citizens whom have met the
necessary requirements for
possible considerations for
employment as the mall was
gearing up to commence full
commercial activities on
December 1st, 2020.
He said that although the effort
was a collaborative one through
a Public Private Partnership
( PPP ) arrangement, the
government was not intending to
impose candidates on the
management of the facility as the
move was only aimed at giving
qualified Akwa Ibom citizens an
opportunity to further enhance
their capacity and boost their
sense of belonging.
He explained that upon the
conclusion of the compilation, the
mechanised data base would
form a poll of names which the
state government would then
forward to the mall’s
management team, where the
selection of qualified candidates
would be done only on merit. He
added that the idea was in
consonant with Governor
Emmanuel’s commitment to
human capital development
which he noted was going to
mutually benefit both the state
government and the investors.
Responding to fears raised by
concerned shop allottees on
issues of indiscriminate and
multiple taxation, the state FDI
Chief explained that the state
government had recently banned
multiple taxation and also there
were plans underway to workout
an effective and coordinate
approach to tax remittances to
the government thus blocking
tax eversion as well as
preventing indiscriminate billing
by tax officials.
Leading the management team
of the mall, The Managing
Director of Median Infrastructural
Development Company, Engr.
Olumide Akinsanya stated that
the restructuring of the mall was
at it’s finishing stages. He also
added that barring last minutes
adjustments, December 1st, 2020
earlier promoted as the
reopening date for commercial
activities remains sacrosanct.
Engr. Akinsanya revealed that
thirty out of the forty five shops
available in the mall were already
allotted to various tenants inline
with the facility agreement deal
thus underscoring the
preparedness of the mall to open
for business activities on the
stipulated date.
While emphasising on the
readiness of all stakeholders for
the official reopening, Engr.
Akinsanya posited that the
decision to commence operations
on December 1st was to help
shop owners commence
commercial activities on a higher
note with the advantage of
cashing-in on the 2020 Christmas
sales.
He further explained that the Mall
was now remodeled to fit into
world class standard with
modern gadgets and facilities.
Listing out the features
incorporated into the new design
to include; 5 fire exits in an
emergency situation, central
public address system for
coordinate response , CCTV for
effective monitoring of activities
and security, as well as fire
sprinklers in the case of fire
outbreak.
In addition, Engr Akinsanya said
that the mall would feature
outlets for electronics appliances,
pharmaceutical stores, eateries,
fashion and groceries. He also
added that the Mall would also
have a functional lounge, a car
wash and ATM points for easier
access to cash by customers and
visitors.
Similarly, the Sundry Manager
and representative of the Anchor
Tenant, Market Square, Mr.
Emmanuel Patrick stated that
with coming of the outfit to
Akwa Ibom, the state was about
to witness a paradigm shift in
lifestyle and general entrainment.
He said that the favourable
disposition of the Akwa Ibom
state government made it
possible for Market Square to
come with it’s an investment to
the state. He also said that as a
matter of policy, there were plans
to incorporate local vendors into
the supply chain of Market Square
especially for the sourcing of
products the state was having
relative advantage in over its
contemporaries in order to
promote local content.
While speaking on the
opportunities lined up for the
people in the state to explore, Mr.
Emmanuel said Market Square
was coming to further boost the
economic indices of Akwa Ibom
state and the citizens thus
partnership with local vendors
was vital for mutual growth and
development.
The meeting which was tagged :
Tenants Forum drew attendance
from tenants and intending
tenants from within and outside
the state, members of the public
and other crucial stakeholders.