Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel has commended the decision of
Resilient Africa a shopping conglomerate in establishing a Shopping
Mall, Shoprite in the State stating that the initiative underscores the
avowed determination of his administration to place the state among comity
of industrialised Nations.
Governor Emmanuel stated this during the ground breaking ceremony of
Shoprite Shopping Mall at Ibom Tropicana Complex, Uyo.
He described the State as a land of abundance in all fields of human
endeavour adding that Resilient Africa has deemed it fit to invest in the
state in order to open up job opportunities and create wealth.
The State Chief Executive said that the ground breaking ceremonies
performed in recent times across the state, have been complimented with
training of youths to imbue in them requisite skills that would make them
fit into the companies when they are operational.
He observed that the company has built a fantastic profile for itself in
countries where they operate and enjoined them to maintained the
standards in which they are known for.
Governor Emmanuel expressed delight on the proposed used of eighty percent
local content in human and material resources and charged them to complete
the project in a record time.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry Barister
Emmanuel Enoidem noted that Shoprite Shopping Mall would be provide
tenancy at the Tropicana Complex and that the project will stimulate
commercial activities as well as create employment for the youths.
In his speech, the Director Resilient Africa Mr Holland Marshall said that
the company will commence construction in three months and in eighteen
months, full commercial operations will begin. He added that the company
has the capacity to employ six hundred indigenes at commencement of
operations.
Mr Marshall promised a standard edifice that befit the status of the
State in line with government drive for industralization and thanked the
government as well as the host community for accepting them in their
dormain. Mr Marshall sued for a favourable business relationship and
cooperation from the host community.
Also the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources Prince
Enoobong Uwa and Village Head Itiam Ikot Ebia, Chief Timothy Udofia who
spoke on behalf of the host Community commended the initiative and assured
the company of a good operational environment.They maintained that the
people are peaceful and accommodating.
Performances by Women groups and Cultural troupes added colour to the event