All roads lead to GRA Onitsha, where the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano is set to inaugurate an ultramodern shopping mall in the largest commercial city in West Africa Thursday.
The event, which is slated for 8.am, will mark the formal introduction of a lifestyle, luxury shopping culture in the ancient commercial city and signal the readiness of Onitsha to shrug off its age-old informal sector label that has distinguished it for decades.
The inauguration of the Onitsha Mall is in fulfilment of the continuity promise that formed the core of Obiano’s campaign strategy, which gave him victory in the 2013 gubernatorial elections.
The mall, which covers a land space of 40,000 square meters with 12,000 lettable spaces, 70 in-line stores and 500 parking bays, is the product of a joint venture between the government of Anambra State and African Capital Alliance, a renowned equity firm.
Onitsha Shopping Mall holds a great deal of economic benefits to Anambra State, having created over 1000 jobs during the various stages of its construction with more than 50 suppliers offering different services.
When fully operational, the mall is expected to offer 300 direct jobs and over 1000 indirect jobs to the people.
