The Ebonyi Shopping Mall has been under lock and key since Saturday evening, leaving business operators stranded and counting their losses. According to reports, the mall’s management shut down the facility without prior notice, following issues related to unpaid electricity bills.
Many traders, particularly those selling perishable goods, have been hardest hit by the sudden closure. Their goods risk spoilage as they remain unable to access their shops.
“I really pity those who have perishables inside the mall. This situation is devastating,” a concerned observer remarked.
Investigations revealed that the mall owes the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) over ₦900 million in outstanding bills. The monthly electricity charges for the facility reportedly fluctuate between ₦30 million and ₦50 million, a burden that tenants say has become unbearable.
The closure of the shopping complex has triggered calls for urgent intervention from Governor Francis Nwifuru. Stakeholders commended the Governor for supporting the mall by covering part of the power bills in the past. However, they appealed to him to step in once again to prevent small businesses — most of them owned by Ebonyi residents — from collapsing.
Suggestions from concerned citizens include replacing the energy-draining central air conditioning system with a more efficient model, and exploring solar power solutions to reduce reliance on the national grid. Others expressed regret that the gas turbine project set up during Governor Martin Elechi’s administration — intended as a reliable power source — was abandoned by the last government and converted into a motor park, wasting a multi-billion-naira investment.
Some tenants are also urging Governor Nwifuru to consider terminating the contract of the current mall managers. According to them, the managers, who took over under the previous administration, have resorted to harsh tactics and intimidation rather than engaging in constructive dialogue with tenants.
For now, the Ebonyi Shopping Mall remains closed, with business owners hoping for a swift resolution to save their investments and livelihoods.
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