The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Tuesday said it has taken possession of its 17-storey headquarters building in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The board in a statement said it took over the building from the major contractor of the project, Megastar Technical and Construction Company (MTCC), on Monday.
The edifice, which took five years to build, comprises 17 floors office complex, four storey multi-level car park and a 1000-seater capacity conference hall and other ancillary facilities.
Christened Nigerian Content Tower, the keys to the facility located at along Ox-Bow Lake Road, Swali, Yenagoa, were handed over to the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Patrick Obah, who represented the Executive Secretary, Engr. Simbi Wabote.
In his comments, Mr. Wabote applauded the technical competence of the main contractor, and other sub-contractors, highlighting that they delivered a world class project within the specified timeline.
He confirmed that the Board utilized the project successfully to create jobs, impact skills, procure local goods as well as change the landscape of Bayelsa State.
He commended the safety records achieved on the project, particularly for the fact that there was no Loss Time Injury (LTI).
He stated that “beyond just giving us a beautiful edifice, the project safety statistics have been very impressive for a building of this size.”
He described the completed NCDMB Headquarters as a clear demonstration that Nigerian companies can deliver complex projects to the desired quality level, cost and schedule, if given opportunities.
He hinted that the handover marked the beginning of another key phase in the activities of the Board as it will require a step up in its assets management capabilities.
On his part, the Managing Director of Megastar Technical and Construction Company, Arch. Harcourt Adukeh stated that the project employed over 600 Nigerians at the peak of construction, with over 70 percent of them drawn from Bayelsa State.
He expressed delight that a good number of the workers were women and they had been mobilized to other construction sites and would also work for Megastar in forthcoming projects, in view of their proficiency and dedication.
He extolled the Executive Secretary of NCDMB for deploying his rich technical background and projects experience, which helped to ensure the success of the project.
“We would say that we are highly privileged to have a client like NCDMB, their timely response and unalloyed support paved way for the success we have recorded”, he said.
He confirmed that the company executed a total of 4,916,223 manhours on the project and worked for 1,542 days on site without any Loss Time Injury (LTI).
While appreciating the consultants that worked on the project, he pleaded that Nigerian contractors should be given more opportunities as they can deliver projects with bigger expectations.
He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, for facilitating timely approvals which contributed immensely to the delivery of the project.
