Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, terminated a running management contract between the Ebonyi State Government and 3rd Retail Africa over the management of state-owned shopping malls in the state.
The Executive Governor, according to the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Leo Oketa, cited inefficiency and poor service delivery as significant reasons for the termination of the contract. The decision follows an official inspection of the malls, where various lapses were uncovered, prompting the state government to demand immediate management takeover.
In the future, the day-to-day running of the state-owned facilities will be under the purview of the Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on shopping malls. The government aims to apply a hands-on approach in revitalizing the malls to ensure full capacity.
Interactive Section with Traders
Nwifuru, during the official visit to the mall, interacted directly with traders and shop owners in the facility, listening to their complaints. The Governor cleared the outstanding electricity debt of the facility while stating that negotiations with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company to restructure the monthly bill of the mall were in the offing.
Additionally, Nwifuru stated that the government would now directly take over the maintenance of critical infrastructure in the mall. Maintenance routine includes servicing escalators, repairing air conditioning systems, and standby generators.
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The move by the Ebonyi state government restored hope in the economic management of the state, creating a buzz on social media and gaining the approval of the Ebonyi state people as a whole.
The Governor assured the citizens that the move was just a preliminary step in restoring investor confidence and turning the Ebonyi Shopping Mall into a top destination for retail shoppers in the South East Region.
What to Know
Governor Francis Nwifuru is pursuing a 2025 economic agenda for Ebonyi State, outlined in the N444.98 billion “Budget of Economic and Social Development. The agenda prioritises industrialisation, education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
The Key initiatives by the Nwifuru administration include reviving water schemes, supporting farmers, upgrading Chuba Okadigbo Airport, and empowering citizens through skill acquisition.
