(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DSC_0099-300x199.jpg) The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio has justified the sum of 2.2billion naira spent to erect a new government house saying a quotation of 1.8 billion naira had earlier been submitted, only for its rehabilitation.
He made this known during the inspection of members of the National Good Governance Tour team at the Government House Uyo.
"When we came we met a very dilapidated Government House and when we assessed the cost of rehabilitation it was put at about 1.8 billion naira and the cost of a brand new one was then estimated at a cost of about 2.2 billion.
"In its wisdom, the state house of assembly passed a resolution that the Governor's lodge should be pulled down and I should build a new one. So for the first two years I leaved in my own house and we were able to finish this edifice and then hand it over to Government for use as a lodge", Governor Akpabio explained.
The Governor said: "Today it (the Government House) stands as a testament of dedication and good governance. Don't take it for granted because we have visited some states where they gave contract to build a government lodge in 1997, revalidated in 2000 and re-revalidated in 2005 and reawarded in 2008 and till today, the state government house has not been built.
"These are the same things Nigerians complain about- service delivery. When there is passion, when there is dedication, when there is sincerity, then there will be product.
The Government lodge has a banquet hall, private dining rooms.
While conducting the team round the new Government Lodge, Governor Akpabio showed models of the new International Cargo Terminal under construction which is to be completed in the first quarter of 2014. He said it is the first fibre terminal building in the country modeled after a section of Terminal 5.
He said the terminal has provision to accommodate A380 aircrafts.
Governor Akpabio further briefed the Team on the model of a new sports complex. He said the projects started with a stadium which has a banquet hall for events that would keep the stadium busy all year round.
"Instead of just being busy during football matches and then be overgrown with weeds, this (the banquet hall) could be rented out, the management can make money. People can use it for weddings, for seminars and it would also have breakout rooms. So if the Governor has an event at the stadium all VIPs can retire to the banquet hall with the stadium itself instead of following you home", he informed.
He said every floor of the Stadium has its own restaurant and conveniences noting that the edifice was modeled after that of Johannesburg which was used during the World Cup in South Africa and the Wimbledon Stadium.
He said to ensure that it commissioned before he leaves office, the contractor is working day and night to deliver the stadium project by last quarter of 2014. Akpabio hinted that Arsenal Football Club plans to use the facility for pre-season academy training.
The Governor further disclosed that land prices had skyrocketed following the siting of the stadium and people are rushing to by land in the area considering also the dual access road. Akpabio said the stadium is to have 30,000 sitting capacity for a start.
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Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria