Governor Rochas Okorocha


Amby Uneze
The South African conglomerate, Shoprite, has concluded plans to open its second shop in the South-east, this time in Owerri, capital of Imo State as the ground breaking ceremony of the “Owerri Mall-Shoprite” took place yesterday at the former proposed site of Owerri Shopping Complex, otherwise called Somachi Complex.


The ground breaking ceremony which was done by the State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Jude Ejiogu, described the coming of Shoprite to Owerri as symbolic since it  was happening in his administration, even as he promised to support the establishment as well as all other progressive investments in the state.

He assured that government will not relent until Imo state is well positioned like other states in the country, adding that his administration is geared towards generating employment for the people of the state, hence its support for the company that would give employment to the people of the state.

Okorocha challenged the company to keep fate with the construction programme by making sure that the project is completed within the 18 months duration, while stating that the security of lives and property of those coming in would be guaranteed.

In an address at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Owerri Mall Development Company, Chief Herbert Chikwe, noted that the idea of building a world-class shop in the city was conceived 30 years ago when the company awarded the contract to build the Owerri Modern Market in the place.

He said “the Shoprite, foreign investors from South Africa came to partner with us to establish a more contemporary shopping mall, this is a turning point in the history of our state in its efforts to build a new economy that will meet international standards.”

He assured the partners that their investment in the state would be profitable and beneficial to both stakeholders as Owerri happened to be the city of commerce as well as the heartland of the South-east and South-south people.



Source: ThisDay