Checkbest International Limited, promoters of Enyimba Mall Outlet Shops, a new shopping facility under construction in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, has announced that the facility will be ready in the first quarter of 2021 and not December, 2020, as earlier proposed.
The change in the completion of the project this year, was as a result of losses he promoters incurred in the hands of hoodlums, who vandalised facilities and looted materials on site, during the #EndSARS protest in Aba.
The mall, which has a total area of 32, 700 square metres, and located at Etche road, Aba, is being executed under public private partnership (PPP) arrangement, between Checkbest International Limited and Abia State Government.
The mall upon completion will change “the unorganized shopping style” that is currently in practice in open markets in Aba and usher in a new era of shopping experience that is of world standard.
Chiedozie Njoku, managing director, Checkbest International Limited, explained that Enyimba Mall Outlet Shops, has recovered fully from the losses it suffered, during the #EndSARS protest, noting that it is ready to pursue the new deadline for its takeoff, as all necessary materials needed for the completion of the project is ready.
He debunked the rumour that the project is owned by Abia State Government, stressing that the project is funded by Checkbest International Limited and AG Mortgage Bank Plc, while Abia State Government provided the land.
Njoku stated that the destruction during #EndSARS protest brought financial loss of over N50 million and set the mall 60 days backwards from opening date and brought psychological and emotional losses that cannot be quantified.
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“If it wasn’t for what happened during the #EndSARS protest, I’m sure that we would have met our December deadline, but the situation took us 60 days backward. So, we should be looking at early March 2021, as the worst case scenario, based on the level of work and the Christmas Holidays.
“There are things you can’t fast track, otherwise I would have said that we would finish it earlier than the current date given. We’re still moving with our structure and normal design. Our clients and off- takers have been visiting and they’re happy with what’s going on here”, he stated.
Ngozi Anyaogu, managing director, AG Mortgage Bank PLC, financial partners to the promoters of the mall, expressed joy that the project has progressed, despite the vandalisation of the facility, by hoodlums.
He explained that his bank was attracted to invest in Aba, because they know that Aba is a good business hub, stressing that a mall will create a respectable place of trade for people to shop, as well as recreate.
He also stated that the number of employment that the Enyimba Mall Outlet Shops will create in Aba is mouthwatering, stressing that it was also one of the things that attracted them to in the commercial city.
“So we are not just funding projects for the sake of profits, we also think that it is important that we grow the number of employment opportunities within the larger economy.
“We are satisfied with what the customer is doing, because we can see that the customer has sufficiently deployed the funds that were given to him and we think we are still within schedule, to deliver to the off-takers.
“Ultimately, we want the off-takers to come and generate employment, business and improve the commercial life of the people in Aba.
“This is the first commercial development we are having in Aba, but we have a lot of investments in the South-East, including an investment of over N5 billion in Ebonyi state”.
Anyaogu observed that the coming of Geometric Power Limited to Aba, will be a big boost to the city, as many investors will flood the area.
“Where you have power infrastructure, investments will follow. In Ebonyi state, you can see how far and fast development is coming to rural communities, just because of the good road networks.
“Where you have infrastructure, businesses will follow, communities will be energized and the industrial strength of the people will also be energized. That is how development moves. If there is power, it will develop the tempo of the place”.
