PROPERTY NEWS

Following a collaboration involving the Nigerian Army and a firm of developers, Mammy Market, the popular military commercial outlet located within the confines of the Cantonment in Ikeja in Lagos, has metamorphosed into an ultra-modern shopping complex.

Christened "The Arena," the new facility that will now be accessed basically from Bolade Bus Stop in Oshodi along the Agege Motor Road , cost a staggering N4 billion to build.

The project was executed via a build, operate and transfer (BOT) arrangement between the Nigerian Army and project developer, Messrs. Woobs Resources Limited.

Facility manager, Patrick Igboko, disclosed that the complex consists of over 300 units of a combination of warehouses, lock-up shops and open spaces. It was officially delivered late last year, he added.

Estate valuer, Innocent Okoro, whose firm (M.I. Okoro and Associates) is the marketing agent to the property, said his firm was well placed to successfully market the project. He attributed this to experiences gained 12 years ago when the organisation handled the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association, International Plaza (ASPAMDA Plaza) at the International Trade Fair Complex, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Lagos.

He said, "We make bold to say that ‘The Arena,’ otherwise known as the Nigerian Army Shopping Arena, is West Africa’s and Nigeria’s largest and most diverse retailing experience which is the product of a public/private participation between Nigerian Army and Woobs Resources Limited, strategically located in the heart of the Mainland and highly accessible through Oshodi/Agege Expressway, Bolade Bus Stop, Ikeja, Lagos."

He expressed his firm’s delight to associate with the vision of the developers of shopping complex, which he said is to establish a high standard shopping complex that conforms to all international standards, where businesses are conducted in the most conducive atmosphere.

He stated that the Lagos State Government would achieve a clean Lagos and the mega-city vision by encouraging the establishment of a shopping plaza like "The Arena" in other locations within the Lagos Metropolis..

Some of the facilities in the complex, which covers a land area of about 13 hectares, include an independent abattoir, 2,000-slot parking facility, restaurants and gas-powered generating set.

The complex also features a fire station with the full compliment of private fire fighters, fire alarms and fire detectors in each units, fire hydrants and water supply, abattoirs, two loading bays - one for farm produce and the other for dry goods. Each of the loading bays can take 16 trailers.

Igboko stated, "What we target is to have a modern African market where both traders and customers will trade in a conducive atmosphere without any hindrances. We have incinerators for effective waste management internally. We are also thinking of providing entertainment for both traders and customers by organising shows and showing important football matches, drinking places and we are planning daycare centres where traders could keep their children and pick them after closing. There will also be a clinic to take care of any emergency while buying or selling.

"On the open spaces, we have a flexible arrangement where one can occupy our standard space or it could be shared between two, four or six persons. We have arranged it into trade areas. Like meat, textile and farm produce sections. Trading activities will operate from seven in the morning to seven in the evening but we are planning to extend the closing time to 10 pm."

Okoro added, "The proximity of the complex to the Ikeja airports, both local and international, and accessibility to other West African countries, coupled with easy connection to the both eastern and western parts of Nigeria is a place to be and shop. This claim is further assured by the huge investment the Lagos State Government has made here and the Oshodi environ by clearing the whole unwanted structures around Oshodi, which now aids free flow of traffic and the fixing of street lighting along the Agege Motor further ensures security.

"We commend the Nigerian Army for their initiative to release this piece of land for the development of The Arena. We also commend the Lagos State Government for the serious environmental enhancement of Oshodi Bus Stop/Agege Motor Way axis which now positions Nigeria as a clean country as perceived by new visitors to the country, as Oshodi is a gateway to Lagos State via the Murtala Mohammed International Airport."