By Princewill Ekwujuru

The serene nature of Umuahia, the Abia State Capital  is set to take a different look commercially if what the Commissioner for Information, Abia State, Chikamayo Eze said at the pre-launch meeting in Lagos on the construction of Abia mall in Umuahia, the Abia state capital.  with key stakeholders.

The mall, which will be the latest addition to the growing retail space in Nigeria, is set to open in Umuahia for business in April 2015.  A fully digital mall with a 24-hour electricity and free parking space, considered as a one stop destination for dining, shopping, entertainment, banking and telecommunications would boost the economy of Abia state in the region of 10 per cent to 15 per cent, said Eze.

According to the property developer, Pro-M Limited the convenience of a fully air-conditioned mall housed within an area of 11,557 square meters will soon be within reach to everyone in Abia. The mall is set to contribute to the continuous economic growth in the East such as provision of jobs to its immediate environs.

Recently, there has been renaissance of mall culture around the country. Started with Palm Shopping Mall in 2004, which was commissioned by then President Olusegun Obasanjo, the major state capitals and cities have experienced the establishment of mega shopping acres.

According to Eze the government has no reason in the management of businesses but would create an enable environment for businesses to thrive in the state.