Akure Mall will add more value to our economy, says Mimiko

ONDO State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has assured the people of the state that the Akure Shopping Mall will have tremendous positive impact on the economy of the state and expedite the Dome project.

He said this last week at the opening ceremony of the mall in Akure, the state capital after the multi-billion naira project formally kicked off amid pomp and pageantry across the metropolitan city.

Shoprite Store, which is among other stores and occupies 26/27 percent of the mall, inhabits 2, 700 square metres of space and a fulfilment of Whitey Basson, the CEO of the Shoprite in August 2013, of a prospective market in Nigeria.

The mall, which started last year and was scheduled to be completely delivered after 15 months, was opened by the governor and the Shoprite management team at the 14th month.

According to the governor: “There is no question about the fact that the Akure Mall will add value to the economic landscape of the state.”

Mimiko appreciated the Shoprite management and the state Public Private Partnership (PPP) team headed by Mr Lekan Olagbegi, alongside Tayo Jegede, who worked as a facilitator of the project.

For me, the excitement is not just about having the Akure Mall, it is also an opportunity for local retailers to ply their trade here, local commercial activities and overall economy of our state.”

I am looking forward, in the next few weeks, our Dome will be functioning too, along this corridor. And there is no doubt in my mind that it will be the commercial hub of such because down the road that will make it the number one event destination in this country,” he said.

Governor Mimiko stated further that “our people will be usefully engaged and the multiplying effect on our economy and society will be truly great.”

Earlier in his address, Chief Tokunbo Omisore, the Project Manager and Chairman of Top Service Limited, said the whole vast of land provides opportunities for local retailers.

He lauded Governor Mimiko for making the project a reality and also appreciated the Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company, Chief Folorunsho Akintade, who among others advocated for a new market in Ondo State after the Cocoa Mall in Ibadan.

Omisore noted that the mall will provide economic opportunities for agricultural farmers and retailers and offer employment opportunities for over 1000 youths in the state.

The Project Manager pledged that the other wings of the mall will be delivered shortly, saying “we will also have a cinema with five auditoriums to sit at least 600 at a sitting, in the next two to three weeks.”