THE 21 STOREY BUILDING FOR IOCs: UDOM EMMANUEL'S DREAM FOR HIS STATE

One faithful morning, we woke up to behold the news of the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel reinstating his commitment towards ensuring that ExxonMobil and other oil servicing companies operating in Akwa Ibom relocate their head offices to the State. A lot of us were bewildered, and resorted to asking, " how possible is this dream?

It is entirely impossible for one to wake from his sleep and state his dream to an entire State then expect them to believe. Especially when it is a State like Akwa Ibom Ibom where more than 1/3 of her people are highly exposed and educated. This is to say that before the possibility of a dream is perceived, there must be a template. Gov. Udom Emmanuel after ascertaining the doubt exhibited by his people immediately swung into action. The doubt wasn't as a result of the fact that he, the governor had failed in other of his promises. No matter how you've performed as a leader and no matter how much you keep to promises, there are some promises you make that even your hardened supporters would have to frown. This was the case of the governor.

Few days later, we heard that the governor has proposed a 21 storey smart building in Uyo, and as a matter of fact done its groundbreaking. " What is the building meant for? This was another question we asked.

We were rightly informed that the proposed 21 storey smart building would serve as office facilities to international oil companies operating within the shores of the State. With the building, companies like ExxonMobil, Amni Int'l, Frontier Oil, amongst other companies operating in the State would have a compelling reason to relocate their headquarters to the State. With the relocation of their head offices to have the State, the companies and staff will have to pay their direct taxes to the government of the State. This will go a long way in raising the IGR of the State, thereby consolidating Gov. Udom Emmanuel's strives in economic development.

Findings have revealed that the ongoing construction of the 21 storey smart building has so far provided not less than 2000 direct and indirect jobs for workers.

As I speak, the 21 storey building is 95% completed and once it's commissioned, it'll be opened for lease. Whether Exxon Mobil relocates to Uyo or not, there's all likelihood that companies with high net worth including banks would not hesitate to rent the floors in the building for their operations.

Any company that rents a space in the 21 storey building will have to pay rent to government, pay company tax to government and its workers will also pay taxes to government thus leading to increment in the internally generated revenue of the state. For instance, if 21 different companies should rent the building thereby paying taxes to government, this will certainly cause an unprecedented expansion in the State's IGR and rapid economic growth.

Outside adding to the unprecedented expansion this would cause on the State's IGR, the smart building when occupied by companies would provide employment opportunities for the people of the State. Even the food and recharge card vendors will experience massive boost in their businesses and these will generally boost the economic activities of the State.

When Gov. Udom Emmanuel told us that he was bringing companies back to the State, we didn't know what he meant not until today. Indeed, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is God-sent to Akwa Ibom State.

Nice one ,Nigeria lacks behind in highrise buildings,but akwaibom has joined the league of few states with highrise buildings in nigeria,gradually building up it's skyline

Tallest building in South south?

I hope the Security will be very good for people and businesses that will their offices there