The Ministry has eye-marked a vast parcel of land in New Owerri for the establishment of a Trade Fair Complex/Exhibition Centre under the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) arrangement. Investors are welcome to develop the main Trade Fair Complex/Pavilion; a modern Exhibition Centre, International Conference Centre, Start of the Art Amusement Park, Recreation Park, Swimming Pool/Resort, Trade Fair Hotel, Goods Depot, Trade Fair Quarters and Commercial Spaces for development of Corporate Offices/Exhibition Shops, Banks and ICT Centre.
The market has provision for 3,000 Electronics, Electrical and Automobile Shops, 8 Manufacturers’ Warehouses, 48 Whole-sellers’ Warehouses, ICT Centre, 1 Out-door Exhibition ground, Spaces for Canteens/Restaurants and Banks. The market location is about 20minutes drive to the Imo International Cargo Airport (Sam Mbakwe Airport).
The market is planned to decongest the old Owerri Township and provide commercial avenue for businesses in the ever developing New Owerri Capital Area where most of the residential layouts are located. The market will accommodate about 5,000 traders in general goods areas, with provision for PPP projects for the development of banks, cold-rooms, warehouses, etc, under Public Private Partnership.
There is additional land acquisition at Orlu for the development of the International Market, Phase II, which has provision for one bank, some spaces for commercial projects, lock-up stores and canteens.
The permanent site for the Regional Cattle Market in Okigwe for Cattle business is now being re-designed for transformation into an International Market in which cattle business will only be an ancillary business. The market has provision for stores, filling station, business centre, warehouses, super market, traditional market section, cold rooms, canteens/restaurants, etc, which investors can take advantage of the location of the market along trans-national highway to do international business.
Three enterprise zones are to be established in the three (3) Geo-political Zones of Imo State thus; Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe, where artisans will be located to do their business using the Cluster concept. Government will provide infrastructure and the necessary enabling environment while Bank of industry and Investors will provide equipment/machinery and the building structure respectively. When operational within the next one year, artisans will no longer be allowed to operate on the streets of Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe townships.
As a way of encouraging the market and scale of produce, ensure proper quality and grades are taken out of the State’s shores for export or local consumption, major produce beaches are to be established in Orlu, Okigwe as well as a second one in Owerri.
Investors are encouraged to build, own and operate such beaches under a PPP arrangement for long lease periods.