VP Osinbajo Attends Commissioning Of Dakkada Tower In Akwa Ibom On 24/09/2021

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REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE DAKKADA TOWER IN AKWA IBOM STATE ON THE 24^TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2021

PROTOCOLS

My brother, Governor Udom Emmanuel, let me thank you most sincerely for your generous hospitality and the very kind invitation to join you in the celebration of the 34th anniversary of this State.

I bring you the warm greetings of Mr. President, President Muhammadu Buhari who has asked that I especially congratulate you Mr. Governor and the good people of Akwa Ibom State on the 34th anniversary of this great State.

As I had mentioned earlier, I was here for the 30th Anniversary of this State on September 23rd, 2017, and for the 32nd Anniversary on the 21st of September 2019. Now that the Governor has found me a local government of my own and where I belong, I am very proud to be a recognized citizen of Akwa Ibom State. We bless God that we are all alive and well to celebrate the 34th anniversary and if the Lord tarries, we would be here for many more anniversaries and we will all celebrate in joy and good health in Jesus’ Mighty Name.

I recall in 2015 when the Governor shared the vision of his administration to construct the tallest building in the South-south and South East Region in Akwa Ibom State. Today, I am filled with joy and pride to witness the realization of the dream as we gather to celebrate a commitment to excellence and vision as represented by the 21-Storey edifice before us. But this building is not just the tallest in the South-south region, it is certainly among the tallest in Nigeria and in West Africa.

The completion of the Dakkada Tower will most definitely address the paucity of world-class office accommodation for both local corporate and international companies, especially oil and gas companies.

With this development, the big players in corporate Nigeria and especially in the oil and gas industry should now find it entirely auspicious to relocate their administrative headquarters to Uyo. The tower is a state-of-the-art smart building, combining architectural beauty with the latest technology developed for smart and efficient workspaces.

I hear that various expressions of interest have been received from companies in oil and gas, banking, and all the various sectors of the economy. It gladdens my heart to know that the investment in the Dakkada Tower is already yielding returns. This will boost the internally generated revenue of the State and open doors for further investments.

In my opinion, the Dakkada Tower is representative of the government’s effort to create an enabling environment for investments to thrive in the State.

The Tower is a catalyst for the private sector to leverage on the emerging real estate market by constructing more skyscrapers, which would be required as the promoters and partners of several of the industrial projects here in Akwa Ibom State begin to require quality accommodation for their offices. For the partners in the Ibom Deep Sea Port, the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone and other key players will begin to demand facilities befitting of international businesses and they will find it right here. There will also be new jobs created and transfer of knowledge and technology as the tower is put to use.

Ultimately, the Dakkada Tower will complement the Government’s efforts at improving the standard of living of the people of Akwa Ibom State.

I am very proud of what my brother, Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State has achieved in his 6 years of stewardship as Governor of Akwa Ibom State. especially with his industrialization agenda.

When I was here in 2019, we commissioned the Kings Flour Mills, Lions Plywood and Timber Factory, the power sub-station, the syringe, and metering factories as well. Since then, you have done far more and you have even launched an airline – Ibom Air, which has become the gold standard nationally for promptness and efficient service.

Your focus on infrastructure development is significantly in sync with the centerpiece of the Federal Government’s economic agenda. As you are aware, since the inception of our administration Mr. President has prioritized the development of infrastructure roads, rail, power, and broadband and despite the severe economic headwinds we have experienced in the past 6 years, we have invested more than any other administration in infrastructure.

As of last year, we had expended over N8.9 trillion on infrastructure. Just last month, the Federal Executive Council approved the Lagos-Calabar rail project which will pass through Uyo as a major station.

At the end of last year, FEC also approved the full business case for the Ibom deep seaport, this was with the very active demands and urgings of the Governor of the State. These infrastructural developments are set to establish Akwa Ibom as a major industrial hub not just in Nigeria, but in the West African sub-region.

I applaud the Akwa Ibom State Government for following through on this project to its completion. I also applaud the project developers for staying the course and delivering the building in good time. I congratulate the people of Akwa Ibom for being the magnanimous hosts of these great achievements in Nigeria.

I once again commend my brother, Governor Udom for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the betterment of Akwa Ibom State and its people.

Mr. Governor, you continue to set the bar high and never fall short. I wish you continued strength, wisdom, and foresight as you govern. I must also join everyone else who has commended your much better half, Dr. Martha Udom Emmanuel for her support and for being there not just for you, but for the entire people of the State.

I want to also commend all members of your team who have stayed the course and who have worked so hard to ensure that this State is not only number one in the South-south, but is also doing great and mighty things and would also become greater in the years to come. Thank you very much for the great work that you’re doing.

Akwa Ibom e Dakkada, I thank you very much!