By Perpetua Onuegbu
President Muhammadu Buhari, has commissioned a N3,120,718,297.93 Federal Secretariat in Nasarawa State.
The edifice is expected to accommodate all the federal government ministries, departments and agencies ((MDAs) under one conducive working environment.
The project is situated on a 10.9 hectares of land and awarded on December 9, 2011 at an original contract sum of N2,335,338,560.63 but revised by the Muhammadu Buhari administration to N3,120,718,297.93.
Speaking when Buhari commissioned the project, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola said that the project which was completed on September 8, 2022, could accommodate between 2,000 and 2,300 staffers from several MDAs who had already indicated interest in moving into the facility.
According to Fashola, the complex has 498 office spaces, one exhibition hall, two multi-purpose halls, one reception area, one conference hall, four committee rooms and parking space for over 300 vehicles.
“I am proud to say that we have delivered on your mandate which is to move the federal civil servants in Nasarawa State who are operating from rented buildings to one secretariat.
“This project has been delivered to an entire village. And that village, not only include the federal government workers, members of Federal Executive Council (FEC), who supported this project; the National Assembly, the state government of Nasarawa State.
“From Governor Tanko Almakura to Governor Abdullahi Sule who provided a very safe environment to the contractor to deliver this project.
“Your Excellency, it might interest you to know that the contractor is a company called Faplins Nigeria Limited. But more interestingly, he is a member of the opposition party.” Fashola said.
He added that while ther party dislodged the opposition party in government it did not dislodge the contractor from business.
Hence he was able to continue the work and delivered and Nasarawa people were very receptive.
‘What we have now is a built up of 6,702 square metres. It contains 402 offices. It has car parks capable of accommodating 300 cars as well as many other facilities including a staff canteen” he said.