Tinapa Shopping Complex
Encyclopedia
The Tinapa Business Resort is a visionary development of the previous Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke. Located within the Tinapa Free Zone, immediately outside the city of Calabar, Nigeria, the responsibility for the design and construction of the vast complex was awarded to an international team of architects and construction companies, from Nigeria, Germany and South Africa.
Designed as both a commercial trade hub and a leisure destination, Tinapa promised much. It was to be a gateway into Nigeria for importers and a major source of goods for Nigerian and regional traders. The shopping complex would rival those found in South Africa and Europe. Finally, the recreational facilities would be a much sought-after leisure destination for local and foreign tourists.
Until, that is, the State government leadership changed just before its completion. As is often the case, local government priorities changed under the new regime and the completion and launch of the Tinapa Business Resort ground to a halt in May 2007, immediately after the official commissioning of the development by the President at the time, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Designed as both a commercial trade hub and a leisure destination, Tinapa promised much. It was to be a gateway into Nigeria for importers and a major source of goods for Nigerian and regional traders. The shopping complex would rival those found in South Africa and Europe. Finally, the recreational facilities would be a much sought-after leisure destination for local and foreign tourists.
Until, that is, the State government leadership changed just before its completion. As is often the case, local government priorities changed under the new regime and the completion and launch of the Tinapa Business Resort ground to a halt in May 2007, immediately after the official commissioning of the development by the President at the time, Olusegun Obasanjo.