Photo Caption
L-R: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch; and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa displaying the prototype of the new Defence Complex whose construction was flagged off Thursday in Abuja
Leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has a superlative track record of performance and to deliver projects on schedule. This was the submission of Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa who spoke at last week’s Groundbreaking Ceremony of the new Armed Forces Complex, Asokoro, Abuja.
According to the CDS, who also declared that partnering with Julius Berger was deliberate, a new Armed Forces Complex became necessary for some reasons. The current Armed Forces Complex in Area 10, Garki was meant to be a temporary location of the Services; that is, the Army, Airforce and the Navy. But it has become largely inadequate. So, a new Complex has been designed to tackle this unique challenge, he said.
Saying that the location of the new Complex is unique with the surrounding Mpape and Asokoro Rocks in the area, the CDS added that the features will present a large measure of security among others. He continued, “we engaged Julius Berger to do this job not just because they come highly recommended, but because Julius Berger has the track record of performance and to deliver on schedule like they have done very efficiently in similar projects of sensitive nature in record time.
Challenging the stakeholders on the new Armed Forces Complex, the President said, the first phase of the complex must start immediately, and must be completed by the end of his administration.
Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr Peer Lubasch commended the President for approving the project, saying “Julius Berger is deeply honoured to be the contractor of choice for this iconic project. For 60 years, we have been entrusted with the construction of priority infrastructure in Nigeria. And for 60 years, we have delivered reliably, with highest integrity and professionalism”.
He lauded the President for his actions in the fight against insecurity in the country among others like reforming the Forex-market, increasing minimum wage and ensuring critical infrastructure which are no doubt enablers of socio-eco-nomic advancement.
The project is designed with four buildings of a total gross floor area of more than 100,000 m², including offices, meeting rooms, operational centres, libraries, gyms, canteens and additional specialized services and facilities, to accommodate about 3,000 personnel. All structures are inter-connected for improved communication. In addition, the development will also feature a 1,500-capacity conference hall.
Beside Tinubu, top Nigerians that witnessed the event include Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Information minister, Mohammed Idris Malagi, Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, and Heads of other security and Intelligence communities, among others.
