Prompt Delivery Of Rehabilitation At Abuja Federal Secretariat Guaranteed – Julius Berger
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has assured the Federal Government of quality of work and prompt delivery of Phase 1 section of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, whose rehabilitation by the company was flagged off by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.
Bello, who flagged off the rehabilitation on Tuesday at the complex, described the exercise as a milestone in efforts to rehabilitate public buildings and infrastructure in the Nation’s capital.
He said that the secretariat complex, like many other public buildings in the FCT, was constructed 30 years ago and hence requires rehabilitation, adding that the exercise came as a result of several discussions with the Head of the Civil Service, Dr. Mrs. Folashade Esan, who was passionate about providing a conducive working environment for civil servants.
Managing Director of the company, Dr. Lars Richter, who was represented at the flag-off on the first Phase of the secretariat rehabilitation by Regional Manager for Abuja Operations, Oliver Berger said the Federal Secretariat was first built by Julius Berger decades ago and has stood the test of time.
He said: “It might interest you to know that this building, the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase 1, for which we have been awarded a contract to rehabilitate, is one of our company’s proud legacies.
“Our company’s relationship with the Federal Secretariat Complex dates back over three decades.
“On January 22, 1990, Julius Berger was given the contract to build the Federal Secretariat, and we are proud to say that the building’s structure is still strong to this day, making it a point of reference for quality construction.” He said the rehabilitation work will bring the building back to its former glory “and infuse it with an impressive touch of modernity”.
The main work, he continued, “is fixing up the wet areas, which include tearing down and replacing all the plumbing components, tiles, partitioning walls, ceilings and all the pipes and cables for the mechanical and electrical systems”. Other aspects of the rehabilitation works to be effected by Julius Berger include repairing the roof by replacing the old felting that has reached the end of its life span; installing a new booster station with pumps to serve the entire building, rehabilitation works on the lighting, aluminium vents, natural stone flooring, glass panels and painting.
“The building’s two lifts will be replaced with new ones, while the emergency stair cases will be upgraded for easier and safer exit. The 10th and 11th floors, which were damaged by fire a while ago will now undergo renovations.” Berger said.
On fears of disruptions to the daily work during the exercise, he said, “As it is our usual tradition at Julius Berger, working seamlessly on an operating site, we have come up with a plan to fix up this building without getting in the way of the officials who work there. Along with doing our work in phases and weekends, one notable intervention is giving the client portable toilets to use while the wet areas are being fixed.
“The company will in conjunction with the users of the building ensure that all works are carried out successfully, while still providing comfort to the civil servants at work,” he added.
On funding of the project, Malam Musa Bello said the budgetary provisions were a constraint and called for serious efforts to ensure adequate funding.
He also frowned on the level of abuse on public buildings in the FCT and called for reforms in the existing procurement system for the maintenance of public facilities.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Folashade Esan, has commended the FCTA for working to ensure that the environment where civil servants spend most of their time was conducive, noting that the rehabilitation would come with increased productivity. She added, “I am glad that the FCT with the FCDA, alongside Julius Berger, is working to make sure that the environment is very conducive for civil servants. I am also looking forward to the end of this rehabilitation”.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Shehu Hadi Ahmad explained that the Federal Executive Council, after due process, graciously approved the award of the Phase 1 of the contract to Messrs. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc with completion period of 24 months.
He added that the rehabilitation work would be carried out in phases to ensure that government activities are not paralysed as the works are being executed.
Source: guardian
