The first phase of the N300 billion Nigerian Naira (approximately R18 billion) Aba Mega Mall project, expected is set to be commissioned, The Guardian reports.

Once completed the project, which sits on 28 hectares land, will consist of 5 830 ultramodern shops, in four sizes of 12sq meters, 16sq meters, 24sq meters and 48sq meters.

According a statement made available to The Guardian, the facility will also have provision for banks, security post; 25 000sq meters climate-controlled warehouse space, restaurants, entertainment centres with six cinema screens, children play area and a massive parking space for over 5 000 cars.

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 described as laudable.

Consequently, they have urged members across the country, to support the project, which has been described as good for the south-East region, as it would be providing the needed infrastructure, to ensure that the region regains its place in commerce in Africa.

Biggest mall on the continent

Group Managing Director, Geenfield Assets Limited, Paul Obanua, promoters of the mall, while playing host to Governor Theodore Orji on a pre-commissioning inspection tour of the facility, explained that the mall on completion would be the first mall with a dry port in Nigeria and Africa as well as the biggest mall in the continent.

The dry port according to Obanua, is going be a 30 000 square meter bonded warehouse, which affords people of the South-East the opportunity of getting their goods in, on time, thereby avoiding wastages arising from port congestion at various sea ports.

“We are going to also offer good storage facilities-automated climate controlled facility. So this mall is going to be a one-stop-shop. And by the second phase, you are going to have a 100-room hotel come up here at the Aba Maga Mall.

“So, we are going to have a section that will be called the Aba Business Resort, so that you have your events here, like conferences and when you are in the South-East, you can also lodge in and do your business.

Obanua, who was impressed with response from the business community, revealed that the price of the facility has gone up, due to demand pressure.

–The Guardian