Tinubu commissions Lagos Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, hails Julius Berger
...Joins Sanwo-Olu, others to commend contractor’s speed and quality of delivery
Amidst praises for choicest engineering construction company in the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tuesday inaugurated the reconstructed Lagos Governors’ Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, with First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu representing him at the ceremony. The President also used the occasion to challenge all to maintain public infrastructure and ensure that government projects benefit future generations.
“Public assets belong to the people, and it is our responsibility as leaders to preserve what has been entrusted to us, improve it where necessary, and provide lasting infrastructure that future generations can inherit and benefit from,” the President said, as he added that, the facility would serve as official residence for successive Lagos governors and their families during visits to Abuja.
The new Lagos State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja
The First Lady officially cutting the ceremonial tape to commission the new Lagos Governor’s Lodge, Abuja
First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu in a discussion with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu with the Manging Director, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch among others listening at recent commissioning of Lagos Governor’s Lodge, Abuja
In his speech, Lagos State Governor, Babajide, Sanwo-Olu explained that the previous building had served the state for decades but could no longer meet its needs, and that it was reconstructed to provide accommodation and a venue for government meetings, engagements with federal officials, diplomats and investors.
Accordingly, he disclosed the job was awarded to Julius Berger thus: we gave the work to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC. We asked for a building that will serve Lagos for generations and we asked them to do it very quickly. And here today they’ve given us both. They’ve given us a befitting everyday feast, and they’ve given it to us very quickly.
Stating that the lodge from start to completion took less than 15 months, Sanwo-Olu declared that anyone who has run for elections in Nigeria can tell that between 12 and 15 months achieving the feat that Julius Berger did is a tedious thing to achieve, he added that, the contractors excavated close to 10 metres deep for them to be able to achieve the elevation that we are seeing today. Amidst applause for Julius Berger, the Governor continued, I want to thank you, Messrs. Julius Berger. But your history is not lost on us. In 1965-71, you built the Eko Bridge. It is still standing today. In 2007, you built the Lagos residence where I humbly still reside today. It’s still standing today. And if you remember, that building was handed over and commissioned by Mr. President when he was the 12th governor of the state.
He further said that, we are repeating history again that Julius Berger has come and has built for us and we thank you, adding that, the building belongs to the people of Lagos and a place to work when in Abuja.
Declaring further that the Lodge was built for governors who will come after him and for the people that will serve Lagos state with everything that they have, and believe a government should not build things that will not stay long for itself to enjoy, the governor said, that is how our state has been grown. We learned that from Mr. President.
In the same vein, while giving the vote of thanks, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, expressed the gratitude of the state to Julius Berger for delivering the project to specification. He said: to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, I extend our special appreciation for a job well done. Delivering a project of this scale and quality within just one year is no small achievement. You have justified the confidence reposed in your company and demonstrated what is possible when expertise is matched with discipline and a commitment to excellence.
Earlier the company’s Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch said the facility covers approximately 2,700 square metres and comprises a main residence, guest house and utility building.
He disclosed that subsidiaries of the company, Abumet, AFP and PrimeTech participated in the project, bringing their respective professional specialisations to bear on the new Lagos Governor’s Lodge.
Former Lagos governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode attended the inauguration alongside lawmakers, traditional rulers, government officials and business leaders.
While delivering the President’s message at the event through the First Lady, Tinubu said she was shocked at the transformation of the rebuilt Lagos Governor’s Lodge; today indeed it’s a great day for Lagos and I came in here quite shocked, and I said, Lagos is here.
The President continued; looking at this beautiful facility today, I was informed that the old structure was demolished in October to make way for this new building which we are commissioning today, barely a year later. This timely delivery reflects the commitment of the Lagos State Government and the efforts of all those involved in bringing this project to completion.
Top dignitaries at the event included former Governors of the state, Rajo Fashola, SAN; and Akinwumi Ambode, Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, former state first Lady, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande and first Lady of Kwara state, Prof. Olufolake Abdurazak among several others.
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