TURNING TROPICANA MALL TO SHOPRITE IN UYO : GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL DRIVING THE TEMPLATE OF COMPLETION AGENDA

 

By Edet Okpo

Governor Udom Emmanuel’s electioneering campaign promises in 2015 and 2019 of progressively disrobing Akwa Ibom State of her public service status and 

 to make to win the heart of the electorate for the much needed votes.

But by today, against all manner of indifferences, criticisms and cynicism, time and events must have proven the Governor right or, at least, provided enough positive signals that His Excellency has a grand vision for the State. 

Remodelling the Tropicana Mall to compete with Shoprite Mall across the globe and ushering in life into the once moribund mall  which was overgrown by weeds and taking over by snakes and reptiles is a clear indication that Governor Emmanuel believes that no Government Project should be allowed to rot after investment of huge public funds. Today, the Tropicana Mall is a beehive of huge business activities.

It is the expectation of the Akwa Ibom people that the Governor will also remodel the abandoned children playground and recreational Center with lots of foreign facilities that can boost the IGR profile of the State  and the hospitality Project within the shopping mall Complex. Though billions of naira has been wasted on the project, kudos must be given to Senator Godswill Akpabio for initiated the project.

Recall that as part of his ideological blueprint and proof of his pragmatism, clairvoyance and methodological approach to turning dreams into realities, the Governor was barely a month in office when he set up a technical committee on Foreign Direct Investment, made up of seasoned experts across relevant fields of human endeavours to deploy their professionalism, exposure and contacts in attracting investors to the State. As a dynamic investment banker, this step could not have surprised many who knew him hitherto. 

 

That His Excellency humbly delegated this responsibility to tested technocrats rather than carry it all alone on his shoulders was perhaps one of the first indications of his readiness to teaming up with Akwa Ibom indigenes irrespective of political affiliations in enforcing his government of inclusivity for service delivery in the greater general interest of Akwa Ibom people. Presiding over the 11-Member Committee as Chairman was Mr. Gabriel Ukpe, a seasoned risk manager. Other names on the team include Dr. Elijah Akpan; Mr. Ini Urua; Mr. Offong Ambah; Mr. Akan Udofia and Mr. Andrew Jason; Mrs. Offiong Ejindu; Mr. Udeme Ufot; Mr. Larry Esin and Mr. Victor Bob. 

Commentators had said this was a rare innovation by a man who could speciously be described as a first-timer into the Nigerian political scene where ordinariness reigns and service delivery is neither the driving force for the man at the top nor does it really count at the end of the day, provided some selected few were gratified. Of course, things that have been happening in Akwa Ibom State in the past five years and since the inauguration of this like-minded committee especially with the target of diversifying the State’s economy apparently prove that the eggheads have been working behind the scene, without fanfare, but only turning in results that come with verifiable statistics.   

         

The commissioning of the Tropicana Mall by Governor Udom Emmanuel on Thursday,  February 11, 2021 is one of such proofs of silent, dedicated and practical commitment to tasks and goals. Seen or unseen, accepted or disregarded by his critics, this is one pointer that the governor is conscious of the people’s expectations and is deliberately fulfilling his promises to detangle the State from the tight grip of bureaucracy that has held it for years, making it investment-shy. 

In the first instance, Governor Emmanuel’s creative adoption of Private Public Partnership (PPP) module in achieving his goals is most empirical. As a renowned authority in investment who for decades has spearheaded macro-economic discourses, led implementation processes and managed the dynamics of successful businesses at continental and international levels, Gov. Udom cruised into government with a carefully prepared and realistic point-agenda. We still remember with fondness the applause and expectations that heralded the launch of his Manifestos at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.    

Recall that in his presentation at the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, otherwise codenamed COP22, in Morcco in 2016, the governor had assured willing and would-be investors in the State of government’s benevolence, robust diplomacy, tax holidays and the generally celebrated peaceful atmosphere for their businesses not just to thrive but to blossom with good returns such investments. 

It was at that Conference that he also reiterated the pillars of his socio-political enterprise for Akwa Ibom State, anchored on job creation, poverty alleviation, economic and political inclusion, wealth creation, infrastructural consolidation and expansion. The logic in the message was that whoever intends to invest in the State must bear these developmental principles as a coat of arms. 

This philosophy is what must have informed the Tropicana Mall, an offshoot and insightful digression from what he met on ground from the previous administration. We can say that one of the earliest respondents to the Governor’s call to capable entrepreneurial minds to invest in Akwa Ibom State was Median Infrastructural Development Company, captained by its Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Olumide Akinsanya, who practically arrived in the State for that purpose in 2015, to actualize the dream of a mall of international standard within the precincts of the Tropicana. 

In retrospect, the groundbreaking exercise for remodelling of the Tropicana Mall took place in 2015. The edifice rests menacingly on an 18, 249sqm space of 10,882 on the ground floor and 2362sqm on the top floor. Available document shows that it is a public private partnership business bargain where the investors have 75% and the State government has 25% of the shares. Some services to be provided by the Mall include entertainment, recreation, food and groceries; electronics and computers, fashion, and health. It is estimated that the Mall will also offer direct employment for 600 Akwa Ibom persons, 2500 indirect jobs, and a long list of value chain. It will also generate income through tourism and associated activities.    

       

The commissioning of this gigantic commercial arena further proclaimed Governor Udom’s intention and determination to drive the Completion Agenda to a logical conclusion. In spite of the hassles and financial inconveniences occasioned by the global meltdown of 2015, it is amazing that the governor still went ahead with the lofty idea of an international mall at the Tropicana. In a country leaders have by necessity and vicissitudes of the raging COVID’19 to drop off many projects, many a Nigerian must have doubted the possibility and reality of the Tropicana Mall within this time that it has been accomplished in a State whose oil income had dropped drastically. 

Interestingly, if we are to go by statements and disclosures by Engr. Akinsanya, the Tropicana Mall is not elitist but was rightly envisioned by the State government to meet populist demands and needs across all strata of the society. This in other words means that both the rich and poor have competitive access depending on one’s purchasing muscles. By comparative analysis, Engr. Akinsanya said the mall is about the cheapest in terms of rentage but one of the best designed and stocked in terms of goods and services. 

Governor agreed with this when he said in his speech that during the commissioning that Dubai has been brought to Uyo by virtue of this Mall.

 “This project is the new face of business in Akwa Ibom State. We came to create change and not manage it. What we have here is not different from what we have in Europe and elsewhere. By the time we are done with Eket International market, it will complement what we have here. No more shopping in Dubai”, an excited Governor Udom had envisaged.  

Emphasizing  on his Completion Agenda, the Governor

added: "My government is not a noise-making government. Give me space and I will give you market space. Give me a carcass and I will give you a Four Points by Sheraton Hotel. I will not allow investments belonging to Akwa Ibom people go down the drain. We will transform it to become a value-adding to the society”. 

His Excellency, Sir, you have lived your words beyond reasonable doubts! We can only ask for more.

Edet Okpo is a Journalist and Public Affairs Analyst.