Kaduna: Northern Governors Forum Commissions NNDC Multi-Million Naira Mall
Zainab Tanimu
Kaduna, North-West, Nigeria
Muhammadu Buhari Way, venue of the commissioning of the multi million naira multi- purpose Mall yesterday, the 12th of September, 2019 was put on hold as northern governors trooped into the gigantic Mall for its official opening.
The event had attracted members of the public and passers-by who took the opportunity to have a glimpse of their parties big-wigs charged with the responsibilities of taking them to the next level.
The Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong in his speech had expressed satisfaction over the achitectural structure of the eddify which he described as first of its kind.
Lalong commended the leadership of the NNDC and the contractor in finishing the project within record time.
The NNDC he said would go a long way in boosting the economy of the state as well as attract investors to do business in not only the state but the north in general.
“The significance of the occassion butresses our new determination to reposition our region economically and for me it is special because it is taking place during the first meeting and Forum holding here in Kaduna since l was elected Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum.
“The commissioning of this edify is timely and a sign of good things to come.
Indeed the completion of this project under record time and with the highest standardof quality shows the commitments of both the management and staff of NNDC as well as contractor in keeping faith to the terms of the contract.
Still comending the company’s hard work, Lalong said.
“We must commend the sense of dedication, expertise and team work through the design, construction and ofcourse the commissioning of the complex today”.
In his speech, the host Governor, Mallam Nasir El-rufa’i who was represented by his Deputy, Hadiza Balarabe Sabuwa had affirmed Kaduna State government’s commitments in providing conducive atmosphere for business to strive. The Mall was in tune with the State Government’s Urban renewal programme. He said.
“The decision to site the Mall in Kaduna is strategic; taking into consideration that Kaduna state has been one of the commercial centers in the region.
It also indicates that the company is intune with our administration’s aspiration master plan particularly the Urban Renewal and Infrastruture expansion project here in Kaduna.
NNDC was commended for its stride in contributing to economic development of the region despite the economic and other challenges of the global market.
“The NNDC is indeed contributing to job creation and economic development in the region. Kaduna state government will continue to provide enabling environment that allows for business to strive while providing the necessary support for investment entitty like the NNDC to continue to deliver and promote its regional and commercial mandate.
“At this juncture, may l congratulate the NNDC for this milestone achievement and also urge the company to extend its innitiative to other states as well.” The governor stressed.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman, Board of Directors of the company, Mallam Tanimu Yakubu, while enumerating the objective of the project had commended the Northern Governors Forum for its support.
The project he said would catalyse the economy and social development in the northern states.
“The New Nigeria company Limited was established in 1949 as a Northern Region Development Board (NRDB) to catalyse the economy and social development of the then northern region.
The NRDB was in 1956 renamed as the Northern Region Development Cooperation (NRDC)
“The organization’s name was further changed in 1960 to Northern Nigeria Development Coporation (NNDC).
Its present name was adopted when sustaining the acroyname NNDC when it was incoporated as a Limited Liability Company in 1968.
Enumerating the company’s achievements, he said.
“NNDC is a diversify holding company with a working heritage, enviable track records of achievements providing a wide range of financial and professional and advisory services.
The company’s objective is to ensure sounding commercial success in its operations.
NNDC is owned by the 19 northern states governors who owe shares in various portions.
“Your Excellencies, doing estate development was one of the core innitiatives in the last approved NNDC 5yrs strategic plan which included the development of the modern Multi-Purpose Mall on No.6, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Kaduna.
The real state sector is one of the major growth by various Nigerian economy with considerable opportunities within the northern region.
Still expantiating, he said.
“NNDC’s symbolment in this sector is aimed at bridging the infrastructures on behalf of owner states and generate more income towards higher profit margin.
With regards to our host state Kaduna, the relative peace achieved with the combination of the Abuja-Kaduna railway project has improved the attractiveness of Kaduna as a city to live and do business.
NNDC is therefore proud that this Mall is cited in Kaduna and we hope His Excellency, mallam Nasir would reward and encourage us further with some physical incentives.
The NNDC Mall was completed and handed over in February, 2016.
The project was hundred percent financed by NNDC at a total cost of 793M Naira.” The Chairman informed.
Mallam Yakubu added that the three storey Mall is well equiped with modern facilities with a 24hrs power supply from a generating plant.
