The Ebonyi State Government has officially terminated its management contract with 3rd Retail Africa, citing concerns over inefficiency and poor service delivery.
The decision followed an inspection visit to the shopping mall where Governor Francis Nwifuru and his team uncovered troubling lapses in operations. According to a statement released by Leo Oketa, the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, the administration resolved to take over direct control of the mall’s management to ensure improved service and accountability.
Moving forward, the day-to-day operations of the shopping mall will be overseen by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Shopping Mall, signaling a hands-on approach by the state to revitalize the facility and maximize its potential.
Governor Nwifuru reaffirmed his commitment to turning the mall into a hub for economic growth, employment generation, and commercial convenience for the people of Ebonyi. During a meeting with shop owners and mall managers, he listened to complaints, chief among them being the issue of erratic power supply and assured stakeholders of swift and sustainable solutions.
As an immediate intervention, the state government has cleared the mall’s outstanding electricity debt to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). Governor Nwifuru further disclosed that negotiations are currently ongoing to restructure the mall’s monthly electricity bill to reflect the prevailing economic realities and to make operations more viable for tenants.
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In addition to addressing the power supply challenges, the government will now handle the maintenance of critical infrastructure within the facility. This includes the repair and servicing of escalators, air conditioning systems, and standby generators, all of which are essential to ensure smooth business operations and a comfortable shopping experience.
Electricity has since been restored to the mall, bringing relief to shop owners and customers alike. The Governor assured that these reforms are just the beginning of a broader transformation aimed at restoring investor confidence and making the Ebonyi Shopping Mall a top-tier commercial destination in the Southeast.
This proactive move by the state government is already generating conversations across social media and business circles, with many hailing it as a necessary step toward rebranding Ebonyi as a serious player in Nigeria’s retail and investment space.
