By Ubani Newman Ubani

The directive of the Abia State Government led by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for electronic dealers to relocate to the Aba Mega Mall,have stirred divergent opinions from several quarters.

Against the backdrop of musings the relocation has continued to generate, the Abia Online media team has deemed it fit to put facts straight.

Aba Mega Mall

An Igbo adage goes thus: “what an elder sees seating down, a lad cannot, even when he climbs a tree.”  The Aba Urban Renewal Agency, in collaboration with Market Development
Committee, some months ago issued a directive to Electronics Dealers at St. Michaels Road and environs all in Aba Central to relocate to Aba Mega Mall situated at Osisioma/Umuahia express way.

This order is the brain child of His Excellecy, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the Governor of Abia State in his bid to  sanitize and reposition Aba, the economic nerve centre of the State.

It is a known fact, that Enyimba city as it is popularly called has been grappling with incessant traffic jams. Thus, one practical approach to  ameliorating or abating this challenge is to decongest Aba city centre and spread markets to the suburbs which is the main motive behind this  step taken by the government of the day.

Furthermore, most unsuspecting prospective customers of electronic gadgets most times fall prey to criminals who prowl and parade  themselves as electronic dealers, thus, duping them of their hard-earned money.

This is owing to the choky, unorganized and undefined nature of the business environment this electronic dealers occupy and operate at St.  Micheals and adjoining areas. Hence, the urgent need for them to see this government directive of relocation to a convenient organized and business friendly environment of Aba Mega Mall as a big relief and a  welcome development.

More so, it is imperative and timely to expand the Aba city to adjoining rural communities. This noble objective can only be achieved when all these businesses saturated within Aba city centre are shifted to the less developed areas. This is in tune with International Urban Renewal Standard (IURS).

This envisaged expansion will drastically reduce the cut-throat rents obtainable in Aba city centre.

Aba Mega Mall has all modern facilities that will make electronic business thrive and flourish, such as  banks, car parks and Police station which is being constructed to ensure 24hrs security and orderliness within and around the Mall.

The Abia State Government should be extolled and applauded for this wise, visionary and masses-oriented decision with manifold commercial benefits and advantages.

Electronics dealers should comply, rush and grab those affordable shops in Aba Mega Mall because a ‘stitch in time saves nine.’
Ubani Newman Ubani is the SSA to Abia State Governor on New Media.