By philip eke, yenagoa

A new shopping experience capable of giving big supermarkets operating in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, a run for their money, has opened for business.

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.

Named Marketsquare, the shopping outfit designed like Shoprite, wasinaugurated on Wednesday by the state Governor and Governor-elect, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

As the name implies, Marketsquare, is a comprehensive shopping
facility, a one-stop market that gives customers opportunities to buy
everything they need including foodstuffs in affordable prices. It is
located along Mbiama-Yenagoa road, opposite NNPC filling station,
Yenagoa.

It is a departmental store which combines goods with fast food and
African dishes. It was with fanfare that the store was opened.
Customers were already trooping out in their numbers to patronize the store describing it as unique.

“I find everything here of quality and affordable. Since I came to
Yenagoa, I have never bought quality bead less than N350, the type you buy between N200 and N250 in other  cities like Lagos. But
Marketsquare has such bread for N250 when other stores and bakeries sell between N350 and N450”, an elated customer, Preye Jonson said.

She added: “Besides bread, cooking items like tomatoes, meat and other groceries are hygienically preserved and they look very healthy unlike what you get in the open market where you battle with flies, dirty environment and heaps of dustbin. So, it is a good thing that has happened to us”.

The Market Square was founded by BBV Marketplace Limited as a
world-class, modern supermarket. Its unveiling was attended by
business leaders from all works of life. Dickson was represented by
his Commissioner, Trade and Investment, Mr. Kemela Okara.

The governor who formally opened the store, said it would improve the wealth and economy of the state. He said it would further create
empowerment by providing viable employment opportunities to indigenes.

He described the founder of the square as the type of investor the
state was looking for.

Okara said: “The roll-out of Marketsquare is consistent with the
company’s commitment to make shopping an experience to look forward to always.

“As we declare open this shop, it will integrate into Bayelsa State a
new setting of experience; a new level of making certain a very
wonderful experience for all not only in Yenagoa but in the whole of
state.

“On behalf of the governor and the  state we say thank you because you are the profile of investors that  we would want to see in the state.

You came here, you started this, you acquired land for this project,
you built everything and only asked us to come for the opening
ceremony.

“Now this is the kind of investors that will move forward  the poster
child investment. We want to collaborate with you assist you in any
way we can to ensure that you can even go and replicate this in other parts of the state and beyond.”

He said though people always looked forward to buying quality
products, they also prefer prices of such items to be competitive. He
said with competitive prices, quality products and parking spaces,
Marketsquare would expand its frontiers.

Also, the Managing Director of BBV Marketplace Limited, Mr. Ebele
Enunwa, described the store as an indigenous retail and consumer
merchandise outfit whose journey started two years ago with the
concept of providing a modern and affordable shopping experience and more convenient means of accessing the everyday needs of the people.

He said: “Because you and your family deserve nothing but the best, we have carefully identified manufacturers and business partners with whom the best prices have been negotiated.

“So, when you shop at Marketsquare, you can be sure to get the best
quality and price. We are also inviting manufacturers from all over
the country to partner with us to bring their products to the people.”

“Marketsquare is established to provide every Nigerian regardless of class, age or status, with the best of groceries, wines, fresh bakes,
household gadgets, baby items, fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen
products and everything you can think of buying in the market or any world-class modern supermarket and groceries convenience store.

“It is our desire that Nigerian families enjoy every minute of their
shopping time with less hassles so they’re happier and this is what
Market Square represents. We have redefined market shopping in this clime and taken it to a whole new level”.

Enunwa said it was the first of its kind in Bayelsa and announced that similar markets were currently being developed and would open soon in other parts of the country with two more planned for Port Harcourt city within the year and several others for other cities around the country.

“This is in line with meeting the lifestyle needs of the growing
middle class populace that have come to whole-heartedly embrace modern supermarket shopping models”, he said.

He charged people to expect nothing but the best in terms of quality
of products, service, ambience and other features that make shopping a great experience.

“The company is currently in discussions with developers around the country who are interested in building malls for Marketsquare to
anchor. This will speed up the expansion drive of the brand and ensure the company can get a store closer to every Nigerian in a relatively short time”, he said.