The Akwa Ibom State Government is to open the 21 Storey smart building for business by the end of this year.

This was made known by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh while conducting the State Government Information Management Team led by the Commissioner for Information on a facility tour of the 21 storey building at the Central Business District of Uyo, Wednesday.

Rt. Hon Etteh said, work is almost completed in the interior components of the complex which has office spaces in all the floors except mechanical floor, measuring between 600, 300 and 150 meters office space floor among others to make room for as many end users as may indicate interest for tenancy.

Reiterating that work on the 21 storey building, the 9th tallest in Nigeria is at 85 percent completion, Rt. Hon Etteh said already there are high brow multinational companies that have indicated interest to occupy part of the office spaces while government is yet to advertise for interested banks and caterers to occupy the five bank spaces and two mega spaces for restaurants within the building. 

Etteh who expatiated the five year free tenancy deal the government is offering, however said any company given the facility, must show proof that it can rent the facility, adding that it is not for just any  company without recognised financial capability. 

The Special Duties Boss said, the Intelligence building which is completely ICT complaint has a Vsat on the roof top which makes the entire complex connected to the  internet 24hrs adding that all the floors fixtures including lighting, intelligent smoke detectors that can make decisions independent of the panel, HVAC control system, water sprinklers, FM200, Elevators access control system for unauthorized visitors, sewage evacuation are all automated. 

The Commissioner said being a smart building, access into the premises would  be automated as all visitors can only gain entry with coded access cards linked directly to the floors indicated by the visitors while bomb bearers will also be activated for added safety and security within the premises. 

Rt. Hon Etteh said a drivers' bay, is soon to be constructed within the premises which is completely under CCTV surveillance and has provisions for a - 500 capacity parking lot and a helipad, which would soon be constructed.

"With a well treated domestic water supply machine in place, a censor control, with all floors provided with kitchenettes coupled with a sit- out eatry within the complex, everything has been put in place to ensure the comfort of all end users of the complex."

On sustainability and maintenance of the Complex beyond the life of the present administration, Rt. Hon Etteh said, "government is to engage the services of a Maintenance Contractor with an annual retainership agreement such as is done in other high brow public utilities of government like the Four Point by Sheraton and the Nest of Champions, to ensure proper maintenance of the facility."

Speaking on local content in the facility, the Commissioner said, professionals from the Ministry of Special Duties are already working with the technical team of the Contractor with the sole aim of technology transfer and skills acquisition necessary to boost the maintenance of the Intelligence office complex. 

At the moment, external work is gaining momentum,  the security post as well as the entry and exit points of the complex also nearly completed. 

Commenting on the project, the Information Commissioner Sir Charles Udoh said, "the 21 storey smart building is set to open a new of window for economic opportunities in Akwa Ibom State," reiterating that, "it is a clear indication of  Governor Emmanuel’s determination to actualize his infrastructural consolidation and expansion agenda."

"This project is  one the many reasons our state  has become the preferred destination for investors in Nigeria", Mr Udoh concluded.

The Special Duties Boss was accompanied on the tour by the Permanent Secretary, Engr Richard Ekpe, the Site Engr. Dougukan and Project consultant, Arc Ekanwan Alale.

The facility tour of government projects continues as the Akwa Ibom State Government Information Management Team led by the Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh heighten momentum on awareness creation on the giant strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the past 5 years of his administration.

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