President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the exceptional commitment to excellence of leading engineering construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria.
This was just as the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio also praised the construction company for delivering a world class rehabilitated International Conference Centre on schedule.
Speaking when he commissioned the newly rehabilitated International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja on Tuesday, President Tinubu stressed his administration’s commitment to revitalizing critical infrastructure across all sectors of the country, under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He recalled the sad state of the ICC during the last ECOWAS Parliament Conference held in the facility, and described its then-dilapidated state as an embarrassment and a stark reflection of decline.
The President said that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike there and then assured him of a complete transformation, saying that the promise has now been fulfilled.
Continuing amidst cheers from the audience, President Tinubu expressed profound honour and happiness at the re-opening of the ICC, emphasizing that the rehabilitation reflected a determined effort to showcase Nigeria as a nation of quality, character, determination, and great spirit.
Tinubu particularly lauded the FCT Minister for his exceptional work, and urged him not to pay attention whatever busybody and the bystanders say.
He said; “Continue to do your good work. You are a transformational leader, you have the foresight, the vision and determination to succeed. Thank you very much”.
Turning to Julius Berger, being the contractors that rehabilitated the structure, Tinubu lauded the company the high level of its quality work, saying; “today, we are not talking about renovation; we are talking about rehabilitation. We are talking about quality, commitment to details and good work. It reflects what Julius Berger is known for in this country for years”.
The President said that the International Conference Centre is integral to Nigeria’s vision of becoming a hub for regional diplomacy, continental trade discussions, and global partnerships.
Earlier in his remarks, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, did not mince words in commending the FCT minister and Julius Berger.
While hailing Wike for the marvellous renovation job, describing the previous state of the ICC as a “monumental embarrassment, Akpabio said, Mr. President, I will leave it to you to say your observation on this rehabilitated infrastructure; but permit me to commend the Honourable Minister of The Federal Capital Territory, my dear brother, Nyesom Wike and his team.
Akpabio further said; “I don’t know which contractor handled this project, but I can imagine it must be the usual Julius Berger. I am just guessing because I saw their quality when I entered. Mr President the renovation, the rehabilitation and the transformation that we are witnessing in ICC is what we are bringing to this country whether people like it or not”.
Akpabio then praised President Tinubu’s transformative impact on the country, saying; “The Nigerian Parliament is very proud of you. We are proud of the fact that we do budgeting, we give the approval, and you do the execution. You have put on your thinking cap, and you are very determined to leave Nigeria better than you met it”.
An elated minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, seized the opportunity to announce that all ministries and government agencies intending to use the rehabilitated facility would henceforth be required to pay a fee, emphasizing that the revenue generation model is crucial for the sustainable maintenance of the newly rehabilitated centre.
The 10,000-capacity rehabilitated conference Centre features cutting-edge acoustic systems, AI-assisted translation booths and renewable energy components.
Beside the crème-de-la-crème of Nigerian political class, traditional rulers and members of the Diplomatic Corp that witnessed the ceremony, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch led Team Julius Berger to the historic event.
