31 years after the project’s inception, the Anambra State Government has looked again at the abandoned Government House project in Awka.
The state governor estimated that the project would cost a staggering N6.088 billion to complete during a meeting of the state executive council.
This information was provided in a news statement issued by the state’s information commissioner, Mr. Paul Nwosu, following this week’s meeting of the state executive council at the governor’s mansion.
In the press release, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo declared that his government will finish the project in 18 months.
Since the first Military Administrator of the State, Navy Captain Joseph Abulu, started the project, construction on the new state residence has been put on hold for roughly 31 years.
Nwosu in the press release said: “The memo on the abandoned government house and 25 other peripheral structures were presented by the Commissioner for Housing and considered by Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC).
“The project which will cost N6.088 billion and will be completed within 18 months was approved by ANSEC.
“Also endorsed for construction are gate houses, police posts, perimeter fence measuring 2.22 linear kilometres and other internal works such as driveways, parking areas, walkways, drainages, water supplies, green area, etc. All of these will be complete at the cost of N1.317 billion and delivered in 9 months.”
The new Anambra Government House, which had been partially constructed with roofing, was later abandoned and given over to mice and reptiles. Additionally, the corrugated roofing sheets and irons that had been utilized for the project were all vandalized and stolen.
The commissioner also revealed other key decisions made by the council, including, among other things, the construction of a 14.053-kilometer dual carriage road in Okpoko for N9 billion and the restriction of adolescents invading people’s properties for money prior to constructing.