Benin Mall To Be Opened Before Year End, As Obaseki Inspects Project

… gov expresses satisfaction with pace, quality of work

… mall hosts e-library, world-class cinemas, others

By Simeon OSAJIE

The executive governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work at the Benin City Mall, noting that the project on completion will further strengthen the State’s position as one of the best retail hubs in the country.

Governor Obaseki said this when he inspected the ongoing development of the Benin City Mall, situated along Sapele Road in Benin City. Obaseki was accompanied by the Commissioner for Finance, Budget, Economic Planning and Development, Mrs. Adaze Aguele-Kalu, and other top government officials.

He said, “I am glad and impressed that Edo is taking its position as a retail hub and Edo people will not leave their State for other States to experience retail hub to buy things from large malls. We are building a mall that is larger and better than any other one you can think of.

“We are building a mall that has a lot of entertainment space. What makes the Benin Mall unique is the presence of a library where parents can bring their children to have the library experience. This will be part of the revamp of Edo State Library which is going to be largely an e-library.

“We are expected to have more than six million titles which can be accessed electronically. This is one of the branches to be opened here as we work to resuscitate other libraries across the State. Perhaps the mall is the only mall in the Continent where you have a library.”

Obaseki added: “Here, we would have the educational, retail, and entertainment experience with four world-class cinemas and are looking forward to the second Edo International Film Festival where we have not less than seven cinema halls in the State to review all the films entered in for the competition.

“We are repositioning Edo State and Benin City to take its place in the Country as a destination for young people to come and have business experience and all other experiences they want in the World.”

On her part, Adaze Aguele-Kalu said, “The Benin Mall will be ready for launch before the end of this year. For Christmas, be ready to have a nice lit-up mall. It will cater to different fields and sectors within the retail industry. This is one of the governor’s passionate projects and very soon, we will be commissioning this.”