CIVIL SERVANTS REJOICE AS FG INAUGURATES FED SECRETARIAT AWKA

REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE

Some civil servants in Anambra state have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for completing and inaugurating the Federal Secretariat located in Awka, the state capital.

According to them, the edifice will go a long way in encouraging federal workers to put in their best in the discharge of their duties.

The Federal Secretariat which, is situated on a 5.106 hecteres of land was awarded on the 9th of December, 2011 at an initial contract sum of about two billion naira and was revised to over three billion naira in August 2020.

The contractor that handled the project, Mr Cosmos Agagbo, explained that the Secretariat consists of 498 offices, banking and exhibition halls, post office, reception, conference Hall, committee room and three hundred car parking space.

Mr. Agagbo said the facility, in addition, has elevator, standby power generating sets, solar power supply, well layout spaces, drainage, staff canteen and fire hydrant.

Inaugurating the project on behalf the president, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Ngige said the facility is named after a former Head of the Federal Civil Service, Ebele Okeke, who distinguished herself in honesty and dedication to duty.

Senator Ngige called on the workers, who would by occupying the four storey building, to shun corruption, be productive and diligent to duty, which is the aim of the government in completing the project.

In an interview, the Controller, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Anambra State, Mr. Arthur Mbuba, recounted the difficulties many federal establishements faced in various rented apartments,

He thanked the present administration for insisting on completing the project before leaving office.

For his part, the Director National Population Commission in Anambra state, Dr. Okwuchukwu Ulasi, said all the federal civil servants being under one roof would no doubt enable them share ideas on how to contribute and work effectively.

The Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, expressed joy that the project had been completed as the state government had been spending huge amount paying rents of some of the federal establishements in the area.

The Minster of State for Science and Technology, traditional rulers, Anambra State head of service, and civil servants were among the dignitaries that witnessed the occasion.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU