By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has declared Akwa Ibom State as the best in infrastructure and economic development in the entire South South and South East zones of the country. Prof Osinbajo stated this when he inaugurated the 21-Storey Smart Building codenamed Dakkada Tower in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Friday. The Vice President described the Dakkada Tower as a true reflection of Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration's efforts to create investments, generate wealth as well as more employment opportunities in the state. He said that the building would address the problem of paucity of office accommodations formerly given as excuse by International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Akwa Ibom from relocating their corporate headquarters to the state. The Vice President added that the building christened as "Dakkada Tower" would also serve as a catalyst that will leverage on the private sector to exploit various business opportunities in the state as it would also compliment government effort in improving the living standard of the people. "I acknowledged the achievements of Governor Udom Emmanuel in industrialization and infrasturcture in the completion agenda of his administration and I make bold to say that Akwa Ibom is the best in terms infrastructure and economic development in South South and South East region of the Country. "I recall in 2015 when the Governor shared the vision of his administration to construct the tallest building in South South and South East Region in Akwa Ibom state. Today, I am filled with joy and pride to witness the realisation of that dream as we gather to celebrate the commitments to excellence and vision as represented by this 21 storey edifice. "This building is not just the tallest in South South and South East region, it is certainly among the tallest in Nigeria and in West Africa. So its completion will definately address the question of the paucity of world class office accommodations for both local and international companies, especially oil and gas companies. "This development serves as a catalyst that will leverage on corporate businesses in Nigeria both local and international, especially in the oil and gas industries. IOCs therefore, should now find it entirely convince to relocate thier corporate headquarters to Uyo. "This Tower is the state-of-the-art smart building combining architectural beauty with the latest technology developed for smart and efficient work space and attraction," Vice President Osinbajo noted. The Vice President also noted that the building commissioned in the state was complimentary to federal government plan on infrasturcture and economic development. The federal government according to him, had expended N8.9trn on infrastructure as at 2020, even as it has recently awarded contract for the construction of railway lines from Calabar, Cross River state which will past through Uyo in order to East transportation and make life more meaningful to people in these areas. "The federal government on its own part has spent N8.9 trn in the last one year on infrasturcture alone. what governor Udom Emmanuel is doing in Akwa Ibom state is complimenting the federal government effort on both infrasturcture and economic development" Earlier, Governor Udom Emmanuel had expressed excitement over completion of the project saying he was fulfilled on the project completion. "I am more excited than before for several reasons especially doubting attitude of naysayers who thought that this project would not be completed. "The excuse by International Oil Companies (IOC's) that there is no office accommodation in Akwa Ibom for them to relocate has come to an end today by the commissioning of this building," Governor Emmanuel said. He appreciated the contractor, VKS, a Turkish firm for the cooperation in procurement of materials and technology transfer which helped in the speedy completion of the project.
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