After a decade of neglect, hope is rising for the revitalization of the Aba Mega Mall project following a crucial meeting between the Abia State Government and Greenfield Assets Limited, developers of the mall.
The Mall, originally commissioned in May 2015, was abandoned by previous administration shortly after.
However, recent developments suggest a turnaround, as the Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has shown interest in collaborating with Greenfield Assets to repurpose the facility into a manufacturing and export hub.
Speaking to the Journalists after the meeting, on Wednesday, at Nvosi Isialangwa South, the Greenfield Assets Limited’s Group Chairman, Dr. Paul Obanua, who was visibly emotional expressed excitement over the deliberations with Governor Otti.
He recalled investing $10 million in the project, only for it to remain inactive for 10 years.
Dr Obanua
“We are very excited that the Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti has granted us the audience we’ve not had in this State in the last 10 years.
“We are very excited and have our investors lined up to bring investments worth over 50 Billion Naira to Aba Mega Mall Space to be converted into a Manufacturing Ecosystem and Export Hub“, Dr. Obanua stated.
He emphasized the importance of strong political will in leadership, pointing out that that without political will, even the most well-conceived projects would struggle.
Dr Obanua lauded Governor Otti for being receptive to development and possessing the requisite political will to develop Abia State.
“What is important in every leadership is the political will to do the right thing. If the leader is willing, the people will be willing and would follow.
“So, the people might be willing to have development, everybody wants development, then, if your political leaders lack the political will to do the right thing, no matter how beautiful the project is, it is never going to work .
“But, what we found in His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti is that he has that political will to bring in development to this State”, Dr. Obanua remarked.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting with the Governor and disclosed that the new proposal for the facility which involves creating a high-tech industrial manufacturing park to support Aba’s thriving garment and shoe industries.
The plan according to him also includes the installation of automated industrial cutting and sewing machines to boost productivity by over 100 times.
“We are here today to present our new initiative and plan for Aba Mega Mall to transform it into an Industrial Manufacturing Park and Export hub that can service US, Europe, Asia and Africa Markets.
“What we are going to provide in the new proposed Aba Manufacturing Park and Export Hub is Industrial Manufacturing as a Service to the entrepreneurs and artisans in the garments and shoes ecosystem.
“What that means is that we are going to have Automated Industrial Garment Cutting and Sewing Machines that would improve productivity for the garments and shoes manufacturers by more than 100X,” Obanuo explained.
He further outlined plans to provide reliable power, standardization, and certification processes that would enable Aba-made products to meet international export standards and expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for his insights and openness to exploring a partnership for the project’s revitalization.
Governor Otti in response, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with credible investors to transform Abia’s economy.
He assured the Management of Greenfield Assets Limited that his administration would look into its request with a view to finding a way of bringing the long abandoned Aba Mega Mall project back to life and ensure that its multi million dollars assets is put into industrial use for the benefit of the people of Abia State.
Governor Otti, who directed that further engagements be done with the State Government’s team reiterated that he is in governance to create wealth for the people.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Anchoria Advisory Services and financial adviser to Greenfield Assets Limited, Mr. Sam Chidoka, commended Governor Otti for his warm reception and pragmatic approach to governance.
He praised the Governor’s humility and commitment to economic transformation, stating that his success in public office would serve as an example for more private-sector leaders to participate in politics.
