Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday
laid the foundation stone for a N7.4 billion ($45 million)
ultra-modern shopping mall in the state capital, Benin.
The mall is being developed by multinational superstore
giant, Shoprite.
Speaking on the occasion, the governor gave the assurance
that government would continue to create a conducive
atmosphere for businesses to thrive in the state.
Oshiomhole said government's investment in
infrastructure and the urban renewal programme was to
make Edo State attractive to investors from within and
outside the state.
He said: "Our investment in urban renewal and our
investment in other infrastructure by way of road
expansion and building new ones in both urban and rural
areas, the provision of electricity, procurement of
transformers, building health centres and all of the other
things we have been doing are to make Edo State so
attractive not only to the people here but to also attract
those who are not here."
The governor gave his administration a pass mark for
transforming the state capital.
"I would like to recall that six years ago, during my
campaign in 2007, anytime I was coming from Lagos to
Benin, there was only one old aircraft with about fifteen
or twenty passengers' seats; house rents in Benin were
very low; many houses were abandoned.
"This is to make the point that as we speak today, we have
two or three airlines now flying to Benin Airport.
"Edo people are moving in and out of Edo doing
businesses. There is no better way to measure the
progress of a community, a neighbourhood and a state.
We have also witnessed the construction of several new
hotels; you hardly find spaces in those hotels which means
more people are coming to Benin to do business.
"Today, we are witnessing the ground breaking ceremony
of a facility that will be the very first modern shopping
mall anywhere in Edo State under a group that has built a
reputation for itself that is popularly known and referred
to as Shoprite," he said.
The governor stated that the promoters of the project
were conscious of the fact that they were bringing
development to the state capital.
"In addition, as we speak, the company has employed and
will employ more people to work on this site.
"Let me state for the records that this government
recognizes we are here because you asked us to be here
by your votes and that we hold our offices at your
pleasure and that our future is in your hands. To keep the
privilege of being entrusted with the responsibility of
managing this state we must continue to ask God to guide
us and guide our thoughts such that we will deliver the
greatest good to a good number of Edo people," he noted.
He added: "Today, God in his infinite powers has used us,
your stewards, to attract to Edo State a company that has
international reputation to build a shopping mall. We
agreed to allocate this government land to them, demolish
whatever is left of the building, so that in its place we will
have a modern facility that both the rich and the poor can
patronize.
"As a matter of necessity the company in their design must
deal with the problem of flooding so that their property
can be secured. If they do not deal with the problem of
flooding, the facility would not be accessible and when
they deal with problem of flooding, the entire
neighbourhood will now benefit.
"Edo State Government will give you all the support you
need and I will urge you to fast-track the pace of
construction so that I will have the opportunity of
commissioning the shopping mall."
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban
Development, Hon Frank Evbuomwan, said the coming of
Shoprite and other international brands to Edo State were
a clear endorsement of the far-reaching urban renewal
drive and initiatives of the Oshiomhole administration.
He said, "Several investors in different parts of the state
are working hard to create industries, markets, housing
estates, agricultural estates, all of which are part of an
integrated plan to develop the state and create well
paying employment for our teeming youths."
The spokesman for the company, Mr. Huarden Marshall,
said the choice of Edo State was as a result of the
economic viability of the state and the need to create job
opportunities for primary and secondary workers.
He said the project would gulp about $45 million and the
company would strive to meet its completion date of
eighteen months.
Culled from: http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/oshiomhole-lays-foundation-stone-n74bn-mall
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