FCTA to float online shopping platform

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is set to establish an e-commerce platform for traders in the territory.

The site, which would be powered by Abuja Markets Management Limited, a subsidiary of Abuja Investments Company Limited, is envisioned to become the biggest e-commerce website in Abuja and to take over the online shopping sector in Nigeria in the next couple of years.

Speaking with journalists recently in Abuja, the Managing Director, Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML), Abubakar Faruk, explained that the FCTA had all it takes to take over the online shopping market in the country.

He said already Abuja has a structured market management system which would make it possible to get in touch with any trader or shop in Abuja by just a click of the button.

“FCTA has been in the habit of taking first as far as market management is concerned – the first place to have a professional facility management company for its markets, the first to introduce an automated access control system in the market and now, the first online shopping presence for traders,” Faruk said.

He added that in providing this platform, AMML would leveraged on its vantage position as a government wholly-owned company and as a body controlling the single largest group of traders in the country.

“We mean that we are privileged to be a government company managing over 20 markets, shopping complexes/neighbourhood centres in and around Abuja and the number keeps growing. These strengths of credibility and population both of which are vital in this type of business are what we count on to deliver an online shopping service that will be one of the most sought after in the country.

“It would also be a melting pot of opportunities among traders, manufacturers, government organisations involved in trade, consumer regulation, MSMEs and the economy in general. The traffic on the site will be terrific”, he added.

Faruk said the project is in line with AMML’s vision and mission of making shopping pleasurable and also in line with the wider goal of the FCT Administration of making the capital city attain a worldclass status.

“Besides the value it will deliver to shoppers in and out of Abuja, the site will also generate revenue to the FCT Administration through the Abuja Investments Company Limited,” he added.

On the take off of the project, Faruk said the scheme is still in the offing, but assured that it would surely be before year end.