Owerri Mall unveils Imo’s first FMCG trade business

Thousands of Imo citizens on Thursday swarmed the Owerri Mall at Egbu Road, Owerri, to do what they described as “convenient shopping at affordable prices” where Shoprite, South Africa’s consumer goods trading giant has taken up vast space. It is the trading company’s third outlet in the South East, having opened in Enugu and Onitsha.

The property housing the Shoprite and 44 other trading outfits was built by a consortium of developers including the Resilient Africa of South Africa; Somachi Investment Limited, a company owned by Herbert Chikwe, chairman of Owerri Mall Development Company, which provided the land. Other partners are Terrestria group, Median group and Tidllock group.

Once Governor Rochas Okorocha cut the tape to unveil the shopping mall, the first world class convenient shopping centre, thousands of Owerri citizens, who are for ages, known for solid enjoyment, trooped in to catch the first buys.

Of course, the Shoprite awareness jingles on radio and television had been on air for days now, and had soaked into the people’s minds. So, they had prepared for it.

Chairman of Owerri Mall Development Company, Chikwe said his long struggles and perseverances to build a modern market 35 years ago, has manifested even bigger and more magnificent contemporary mall, comparable to the best anywhere in the world.

Chikwe, husband of Kema Chikwe, Nigeria’s former ambassador, said Owerri Mall is his contribution to Owerri city’s development; adding that he has set pace for Imolites in development of the State.

Jason Buhr, managing director of Resilient Africa, a South African property developer and who have built all Shoprite structures in Nigeria, told BusinessDay in an interview that they were encouraged by Imo government’s cooperation in developing the trading centre.

He said they have 10 other projects in Nigeria in about two years.

Buhr said they look for tenants engaged in the fast moving consumer goods companies (FMCG).

Meanwhile, Bayo Anifowoshe, the centre manager of Owerri Mall development said they have built a world class property, equipped with all safety gadgets and facilities.

He informed that the Owerri Mall development project has provided direct jobs to 2,000 persons; and would engage hundreds of others in supplying business.

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