The level and nature of commercial activities as it relates to local/international trade would soon increase in the Federal Capital Territory when the Abuja World Trade Center [AWTC], a project worth $1.2billion [N152 billion] now nearing completion, opens in September 2014.
Located at the exotic Central Business District of Abuja, the project was initiated in 2011 and is jointly owned by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the First Intercontinental Properties Limited, a subsidiary of Churchgate Group. It occupies an area of approximately 62, 000 square meters of land and easily accessible from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Modeled after the popular American World Trade Center (WTCA), bombed by terrorists in September 2011, the Abuja World Trade Center now about 85% completed, will offer residents of the territory “exceptional hospitality facilities, including exquisite residential accommodation, tasteful offices, world class convention and conference spaces, as well as recreational and entertainment choices,” according to the General Manager of Churchgate, Mr. Ibukun Adeogun who spoke to our reporter on the project.
Adeogun said the project will also impact on the perennial office and residential accommodation in the territory as prospective tenants would have the rare opportunity to move into well furnished apartment blocks with only their bags and baggage, rent the amount of space relevant to their business needs without the hassle presented by dubious estate agents and property speculators roaming the streets of Abuja.
Our reporter observed that residents and visitors to the capital city are instantly compelled to notice the iconic 37 storey sky-scrapers, which have changed the skyline on Constitution Avenue, at the highbrow Central Business District. The buildings have emerged as the tallest edifices within the territory and the initiators hope that the facility will become one of twelve high rise business centers of its nature in Africa and the sixth in sub-Saharan Africa when completed.
Ibukun Adeogun disclosed that the Abuja World Trade Centre was designed by Woods Bagot, an internationally recognized architectural firm credited with prestigious and innovative buildings in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.
The general manager has no doubt that the Abuja World Trade Centre will enhance the international profile of the capital city with an anticipated increase in trade missions, international seminars, business certification programmes and courses as well as world class services unavailable at the moment in the territory.
“In terms of real estate, the Abuja World Trade Centre will give its tenants the premier business address in a symbolic tower setting and this will enhance value as occupants and their clients would have the appropriate setting to conduct businesses that would attract investment opportunities in international trade and investment,” he stated.
The Churchgate general manager, expressed optimism that the first phase of the project would be delivered by September, 2014 in keeping with the contract agreement pointing out that “construction work has progressed so much that I can boldly tell you that we have reached about 85% completion level on tower one which is the commercial tower. Tower two which is the residential section is also moving steadily. In the second tower, we have two, three or four residential apartments.
“On tower one, the glass exterior has progressed to the seventh floor. The cladding work will be concluded by the end of the year. Also, for the residential tower, installation of the glass will begin next week and we hope to complete that one by February, 2014. Also, interior finishing, I mean the installation of interior items like air conditioners and other world class materials has already started on the two towers,” Adeogun explained. Workers and artisans such as carpenters, welders, bricklayers, electricians and other building engineers were seen frantically working on the project when our reporter visited the site on project inspection.
Presently, the construction of the Abuja World Trade Centre has provided employment for more than one thousand Nigerians including the technical staff, tradesmen engaged as engineers, contractors and suppliers of building materials. The number would definitely triple at the completion of the centre when other small and big businesses occupy the edifice, the general manager said.
By Jubrin Lumba
source: Orient Newspaper