ABUJA – President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to commission the multibillion Naira headquarter building complex of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) in Abuja in October, this year. The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Olufemi Ajayi stated this in Abu8ja on Tuesday.
Ajayi made the announcement when he went for facility inspection of the edifice located behind the Yar’Adua Centre, Central Area, Abuja. A N10.38billion contract agreement between Messrs Julius Berger Plc and PTDF for the construction of the building was signed in November 2009.
It will be recalled that the 12 -storey building project was, however, abandoned in June 2012 due to funding constraints.
The Executive Secretary who described the building as excellent and challenging, said it is expected to serve as additional source of income to the agency.
“It is quite intimidating. I have heard so much about the building. This is my first time of coming here.
“It is challenging because this is just the building.
“We don’t have the equipment yet- the ICT and some other things- so what it means is that we have to look for money to do this.
“We are hoping that before October we will get the go ahead for its commissioning by the president,” he said
He said apart from providing enabling environment for the workers of the Fund, the agency was going to rent out some of the floors “to make money to train our scholars”. [eap_ad_2] According to him the agency has many other projects waiting for commissioning.
“ I am sure you are aware of the Federal Polytechnic of Petroleum in Ekowe in Bayelsa and the Nigeria Institute of Petroleum study in Kaduna.
“Ekowe project will be commissioned very soon; what is holding it back is the equipment. “We are still looking for fund to get the laboratory and other equipments installed,” he said.
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Public Relations Officer, Mr Clement Iloba said the project was expected to be completed within 24 months but took about 27 months because of the funding.
“The project took about 27 months before completion. The target time was actually 24 month, but due to the delay because of lack of fund it was extended to this time,” he said.
Iloba said the structure had been completed and will surely be commissioned in October. (NAN)[eap_ad_3]