The delay in approving the building design by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) is stalling the commencement of work on the new headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), worth $31.6m, in Abuja.
The ECOWAS Commission on 14th March 2018, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a 31.6 Million Dollars grant with the Government of China in view of the proposed ECOWAS Headquarters building project.
However, work on the project being constructed by the Chinese government for free is yet to commence. The project is to be completed within 24 months which will elapse in 2024.
During a visit to the site by the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Cui Jian Chun, leaders of the ECOWAS Commission and officials of the Federal Government of Nigeria on Friday evening, the Chairman of SCEGC, the Chinese company in charge of the project, Yan Yongjun, said temporary infrastructures have been provided for site workers already.
While saying the building design was also ready, Yongjun lamented that the FCDA was yet to grant approval for the construction work to begin.
He called on government officials to fast-track the process of approval for the company to meet the deadline to deliver the project.
Speaking, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Musa Nuhu, said the regional body was trying to get a waiver which delayed the approval of the building design, adding however that all issues had been trashed out for the project to commence.
“I called them [FCDA] this afternoon [Friday] and they assured us that we will get the approval in the next two days.”
He called for more coordination among the bodies involved in the project in order to address issues immediately as they emerged.
On his part, the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria said creating a good relationship with Africa was very important to China, adding that the building will create a platform for West African governments to sit and deliberate on ways to develop the region.
While debunking the insinuation that China was planning to plant gadgets in the building to spy on Africa, Jian Chun said, “we are not here with ulterior motives. We are here to provide services. Maybe someone is jealous.”
Speaking on the site, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, said the regional body would provide all support needed for the project to go on smoothly.
Currently, ECOWAS’ operations are spread across three buildings in the Nigerian capital, Tchintchibidja, who was represented by the ECOWAS Commissioner, Internal Services, Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, said the project is important, adding that a good office space would give the body a conducive atmosphere to make decisions that will support its over 420 million people in West Africa.
She said President Muhammadu Buhari would perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the project.
