Follow Us on Google
By Racheal Igben
The Stakeholders Association of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex has disclosed its preparedness to officially present the multi trillion, ultra modern Trade Fair Shopping Centre to the world on February 14 next year during their silver jubilee anniversary celebration.
Chairman of the Association, Chief Eric Ilechukwu, made the disclosure during a press conference recently, where he said the Trade Fair shopping centre which is a world class state-of-the-art facility situated inside the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, along the Lagos Badagry Express Way is worth more than N28.26 trillion in terms of infrastructure, trade investments and human resources.
“The centre has been under construction since the past 25 years due to the size, and following the harsh economy. So we decided to build and complete the project in phases or section by section, which prompted our members to relocate and open their shops in batches. Meanwhile, the current value of this project is above N28.26 trillion when you calculate the infrastructure, trade investments and human capital “.
Ilechukwu who also doubles as president of the Association of Progressive Traders (APT /Jewelry Complex) while addressing newsmen in his office, explained that most of the traders were formerly operating at Idumota, Mandilas, Balogun and Ebute Meta; adding that “the Auto Spare Parts and Machineries Dealers Association known as ASPAMDA was the first batch of traders to complete and relocate from Idumota to their Auto Parts plaza , commencing daily trading activities at Trade Fair on 14 February 2000. So, this date is very symbolic in the life and history of all traders and shoppers everywhere.”
Speaking in a separate interview, the Stakeholders’ general secretary, Juventus Okpala noted that all the sections of the centre are now completed and fully functional. This include the Balogun Business Association’s BBA/ICC ; ASPAMDA’s Auto Parts Plaza; Association of Nigeria Tyre Marketers/Africa Tyre Village; Association of Progressive Traders/Jewelry Complex; Tools and Hardware Centre; Mandilas United/Shoes, wears and bags centre; United Allied Spare Parts/Motorcycle,three wheeler and generator parts complex. Ebute Ero / Home and kitchen utensils Complex. Etcetera.
“Also, everything you need from a world class international trade centre is available here. We have big warehouses and packing stores, office buildings, hotels, hospitals, standard lorry and car parks, very beautiful environment, good sanitary system, well equipped safety and security personnel and structures. Above all, our products are the cheapest more than anywhere else because eighty percent of our members are the real importers, manufacturers and Trade Mark owners.
“This landmark achievement calls for a wide spread celebration, which is why we are hosting all our customers and associates to a mega shopping festival this coming Lovers Day to mark our silver jubilee anniversary. We will be doing it February 14 every year as a show of love and appreciation to all our customers and associates,” Okpala said
