AKWA IBOM 21 STOREY SMART BUILDING TO COMMENCE BUSINESS, DECEMBER

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 has almost been completed in the interior component of the complex which has office spaces in almost all the floors, with some measuring 600 Sq meters, others 300 Sq meters as well as 150 Sq meters for various categories of corporate organisations and business outfits.

The Special Duties Boss said, "this Intelligence building which is completely ICT complaint has a Vsat on the roof which makes the entire complex connected to the internet", adding that "as you can see, all the floors and all the fixtures including lighting, smoke detectors, lift, chillers, water sprinklers and sewage evacuation are all fully automated."

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.
He said with three 800 KVA standby generators and two transformers to link the complex to the national grid through the Ibom Tropicana axis of the city, the 21 storey architectural masterpiece is operated with energy serving control mechanism and a 24 hour power supply.

Reiterating that work on the tallest building in the South/South region of Nigeria is at 85 percent completion, Rt. Hon Etteh said, already five high brow international companies have indicated interest to occupy parts of the office spaces while government is soon to advertise for interested banks and caterers to occupy the seven spaces alloted for banks and the restaurants within the building.

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 sustainable 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 including Engineers, Architects and Estate Valuers are regularly being trained by the expatriates working on the facility with the aim of achieving technology transfer and skills necessary to boost operations 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.
The Commissioner who was accompanied on the tour by the Permanent Secretary, Engr Richard Ekpe, the Site Engr. Dougukan and Project consultant, Arc Ekanwan Alale, commended the Government Information Management Team for embarking on the on-the - spot assessment tour of the 21 storey smart building emphasizing that it will enable the team feed the public on facts about the functionality and stage of work at the complex.

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.

#UdomisWorking