The Niger State government said on Sunday that it is to spend N1.3 billion in the construction of a new mall at the site of the old Central market in Minna, the state capital.
The Director-General, Directorate of Special Projects, Alhaji Hassan Nuhu, who disclosed this in a statement in Minna, said that the project was conceived as part of efforts to enhance socio-economic
activities in the state.
The statement said that the state government and a firm, Messrs MBHH Nig. Ltd, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the project, which is expected to be completed in November 2014.
It said that the mall would not only boost economic activities in the state but also provide employment opportunities for over 1.000 youths, as well as improve the internally-generated revenue of the state
government.
According to the statement, Messrs Botonn Nig. Ltd., a reputable firm, will manage the mall for five years, to enable the state government recoup its investment.
It said that the mall would have 18,600 square metres of space that would be let out to reputable retailers for direct sale of goods to the citizens, as was obtainable in all Shoprite outlets in the
country. The statement further said that the construction of the mall was part of strategies being employed to make Niger state one of the best three economies in the country.
The Chief Executive of MBHH Nig. Ltd, Mr Hamman Issam, promised that the project would be completed on schedule, adding that all the contractual agreements would also be met. (NAN)
