From TCNEWS
The renovated and retrofitted Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat complex, Umuahia, Abia State has been reopened by Governor Alex Otti.
The Secretariat was first built under General Ibrahim Babangida’s administration and commissioned by Works and Housing Secretary, Engr. Barnabas A.I. Gemade on August 20, 1993.
Speaking during the event, Gov. said that the renovation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat is another pointer to our determination to change the face of the State’s civil service by creating suitable working environment that not only supports optimal productivity but also add to the dignity of close to 1000 personnel.
He said that his administration is not just building and retrofitting structures that excite onlookers; adding that the functionality of the buildings is also as important as the aesthetics.
” This explains why we are restoring water and electricity supply to all the public offices here in Umuahia. We are also going to create green areas around the complex to make it more environmentally appealing. Already, new air cooling systems, furniture, conveniences and similar structures that add extra layers of comfort to those working or visiting have been set up. Security has also been prioritized in all public offices in the State capital to make the spaces safe and enabling for peak productivity, and to also protect public infrastructure from vandals. The overarching vision is to create a working environment where workers are motivated to come to each morning to do their jobs.
“The extensive investments in the restoration, acquisition and building of office complexes speak to the determination of the State Government to create a robust civil service architecture. An effective and responsive civil service system is pivotal to the successful delivery of our core governance objectives. The reforms we intend to push will be stifled without a motivated civil service to drive the policies and programmes. In the light of the immense role an organized and result-oriented civil service plays in actualizing the policy direction of governments, one can say without fear of contradiction that our capacity to pursue certain development objectives is extensively dependent on the quality of the civil service”.
In his speech, Mr. Chaka Ikenna Chukwumerije, Commissioner for Lands and Housing, said that the Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat which was brought back to life by Alex Otti administration is in consonance with its promise to Abians to rebuild its public service, and which also includes the provision of a conducive working environment for its civil servants.
His words, “To restore the abandoned Secretariat – first, an integrity test was conducted, to certify the structural soundness of the building – following which an extensive reconstruction, renovation and retrofitting was embarked on to ensure that the building was fit for purpose.
“Not only has the structure been revamped; water and light has been restored, and proper furnishing done to serve the approximately 150 offices in the complex, the 4 board rooms that were introduced, and a 240-seater Conference Hall.
“The re-opened Secretariat will accommodate close to 1,000 civil servants, 4 Ministries, and provide temporary partial accommodation for an additional 4 Ministries
“This administration means business, and no facet of Abia is left untouched in its commitment to rebuild the state.
“The re-opening of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat is part of this Administration’s integrated plan to significantly upgrade the entire Secretariat complex to ensure that our Public Buildings are adequately co-located within the same space and in a conducive environment, befitting for its civil servants.
“Other works in the pipeline as part of the holistic upgrade of the Secretariat include the building a brand new secretariat block to accommodate more MDA’s, provision of a creche, opening of the utility area, the completion of the road works, and the provision of alternate energy to serve the complex.
“Another valuable aspect of the story is the use of the State’s in-house resources (civil servants), via direct labour to carry out this project, thus deepening the capacity of the State’s engineers, builders, architects and quantity surveyors while also saving additional funds for the State and still delivering quality projects”.
In their respective speeches, the Head of Service, Mrs Queen Obioma and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, TPL Ukeje Uche Ukpabi, appreciated Gov. Otti for recognizing Abia workers’ need for an inspiring workspace by transforming the previously abandoned Secretariat with advanced facilities.
They pointed out that the reopening of the Secretariat would not only mark a significant milestone in modernizing the State’s Public Service infrastructure and but will also create an optimal work environment with modern amenities to enhance civil servant’s productivity.