Ikpeazu requests for display of made in Abia goods in shopping mall.
Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has requested that products made in the State be exhibited alongside imported products on the shelves of the newly commissioned Abia Retail and Shopping Mall in Umuahia, the capital of the State.
Speaking at the commissioning and to formally declare the Shopping Mall open for business in Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu said such products like shoes, bags and other leather products should be displayed alongside foreign ones.
He expressed confident that the mall will become a hub of opportunities for people all over the world to do business, adding that Abia now belongs to the comity of States that have Shoprite.
The governor then requested that Made-in-Abia products should be displayed alongside foreign ones, assuring that Made-in-Abia products would take upper hand as it is of higher quality.
Dr. Ikpeazu commended the former Governor, Senator T. A. Orji for initiating the project and said that government has many reasons to be proud of him.
In his speech, the immediate past Governor of the State, Chief T. A. Orji said he was happy to be alive to see the dream of having the mall come true.
Chief Orji, who narrated the story of how the mall came to be through an M.O.U between Abia government and some investors made it clear that contrary to the opinions of some people, he was not the owner of the mall, neither has he any shop in the mall.
He thanked his successor, Dr Ikpeazu for not abandoning the vision, the host community, Amuzukwu and others who contributed to ensure the mall has finally become a reality..
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Abia Mall, Mr. Chuka Okoye appreciated the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Chief T. A Orji, Chief Sam Onuigbo and his team members for their support which made it possible for the project to be completed.
He assured them of good quality products in the mall and urged people to patronize them.
