By Emmanuel Udom
It is no longer news that Prime Mart Superstores officially opened it outlet to the public few days to Christmas.
The outlet is located along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, near Ifo Area Police Command in Ifo, Ogun State. It was declared open by the High Chief of Ifoland, Mr Semiu Ogunjobi.
At the event on Saturday, December 21, 2024, Mr Ogunjobi praised the management of the outlet to high heavens, for setting and meeting its target.
According to him, “Prime Mart Superstores set out to achieving what was possibly seen as an impossible mission around August this year, when constructions works on the outlet began with the target of opening it by December and hit the its target.”
He also debunked the impression that Ifo is a no-go area for business, possibly due to the activities of area boys, and assured that the new outlet in Ifo will open up soon.
However, in a strategic marketing mantra, the outlet promised low prices shopping experiences to customers on all its numerous products and services, this yuletide period and always.
Also ahead of the opening, dancers and drummers were spotted at major bus stops and crowded areas around Vesper, Coker Ibogun, Pakoto, Ifo Market area, St Mary Catholic Church junction at Alaja, Ewekoro, old bank, distributing fliers to residents of various communities in Ifo.
Beyond the jamboree that greeted the opening of the outlet. close observations by some of those who stormed the place on shopping spree showed that there are some urgent tasks the management of the superstores must sort out.
Indeed, children, youths, women, men, had fun since Saturday, shopping, dining, wining, taking pictures, dancing to the beating of the drummers and generally showing off.
But, let’s spotlight some of the tasks for immediate redress for the ultimate good of the outlet.
Security
Yes, the outlet is located near Ifo Police Area Command, in Ogun State. But, it is along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway and with the movement of people and vehicles around the area in the night, security should be beefed up.
I am sure Seyi Williams, an Assistant Commissioner of Police and Ifo Area Police Commander, is already thinking in this direction with his officers.
Yes, this writer spotted some So-Safe officials, undercover police officers, SSS operatives and TRACE officials during the day. But, some of them were not there when this writer visited the outlet around 8.15 pm on Christmas day.
Pedestrian Bridge
Crossing the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, especially at certain points is hellish and dangerous. You all know these dangerous points. Some reckless, restive and possibly drunk commercial and other drivers, do drive on both sides of the expressway in order to meet targets.
The outlet opens 8 am to 9 pm daily and the Ogun State and the federal government should tinker at this point in time with the idea of constructing a pedestrian bridge at Prime Mart Supermarket bus-stop, so that those going on shopping could shop and get home in one pieces.
Water Management
On the opening day, it was observed that the water system in some of the toilets was not functioning in optimum capacity. It is understandable. But, as at December day when I went shopping with my family, the issues have been successfully sorted out.
Wastes Management
Observe carefully while driving or walking through Lagos-Abeokuta expressway. The wastes dumped around Sango bridge near the markets are huge and clearing the wastes has not been easy for the state management guys. The expressway is littered with wastes at various points. I only hope the wastes generated at the outlets could be promptly cleared.
Continuous Orientation for the workers
Mr Adeyemi Moshood, a management staff told this reporter that those hired were screened and interviewed October this year. According to him, some of the posts advertised were that of bakers, store staffers, cleaners, security officer, marketers, and admin officers, among others.
But, independent interactions reveal that some of the workers need continuous orientations, on how to relate with customers, knowing the exact prices of items displayed for sale, not over flashing and showing off their lovely designer’s uniforms with the intention of attracting attention or whatever.
Emmanuel Udom, the Editor of Global News Agency, can be reached via: [email protected]