Contents
Tuesday, April 28 was eventful in Abuja as the Embassy of China formally handed over the donated office complex for the headquarters of the ECOWAS Commission.The occasion was attended by dignitaries including His Excellency Yu Dunhai, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria; Her Excellency Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Honorable Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, as well as heads of institutions and commissioners.In his address, H. E., DR. Omar Alieu Touray, the President of ECOWAS Commission noted that it was an important day for ECOWAS, as it came at an opportune moment when ECOWAS celebrated its 50th year of regional integration.He noted that the event only marked the project completion and handover of the buildings, adding that the formal inauguration and commissioning of the historic headquarters complex will come later in the year, when the Chairperson of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, H. E. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, along with the host, H. E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other Heads of State will officially Commission the new edifice.Touray recalled that back in October 2023, dignitaries gathered at the complex for the groundbreaking ceremony, for which the Government of China provided a total of 368 million RMB equivalent to USD56.57 million to build the complex.“The event was graced by the then Chair of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, alongside the late H.E. Muhammadu BUHARI GCFR, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Touray said, and that the occasion signified the commencement of construction works for this new ECOWAS Headquarters.His words: “Today, two years after that initiation, we are gathered for the handover ceremony of this remarkable building.“Considering the time usually taken to complete infrastructure projects of this magnitude and complexity, the completion of this ECOWAS Headquarters Complex within two years, is highly commendable and we should all applaud our Chinese brothers and sisters.“Let me once again thank H. E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, ably represented here by H. E. Yu Dunhai, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, for generously providing this regional monument to serve as the seat of ECOWAS.“We may recall that this is not the first time the Chinese Government has partnered ECOWAS to deepen our regional integration efforts. In the not-too-distant past, the Government of the People’s Republic of China provided some very important strategic support to our regional peace and security efforts with strategic military equipment and vehicles to support the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force activities. This and many more support spread around our Member States, make China a very strategic partner to West Africa.“My personal appreciation also goes to H. E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and successive Presidents, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar as well as the Hon. Minister of the FCT, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON, who have all graciously provided ECOWAS, the Chinese Embassy, Contractor and Supervisors with all the support, permits and approvals to enable the successful completion of the project.“To further highlight the magnitude of the Complex which is being handed over, let me indicate some key features and facilities:“A set of office buildings comprising a Central Wing (Block A) of Ground Floor with Nine floors, framed by the East and West Wings (Blocks B & C) each with a ground floor and 7 floors.“The facility is designed to accommodate all personnel of the ECOWAS Commission, along with some of its Project Staff.“The well-furnished building has Meeting Rooms on each floor that can seat at least twenty people and are equipped with interpretation systems.“Support facilities including Archives, Kitchenettes, Coffee/Tea Areas.“The ground floor of the main building offers spaces for a Clinic, Gym, Banks, Shops, Restaurants with Modern kitchen, Observatory and Server Rooms, a Daycare for nursing mothers, and an exhibition area.“A two-story Conference Centre with a seating capacity of 800, featuring state-of-the-art interpretation equipment, audiovisual speakers, rotating seats, a modern press briefing area, meeting rooms with interpretation facilities, and a training room, among other amenities.“A comprehensive building housing a maintenance room, security quarters, driver’s rooms, archives and storage area.“A car parking area that can accommodate about 702 vehicles“Permit me to express gratitude to the Engineers and Technical Team who have dedicated their time, day and night, through all weather conditions and challenges, to deliver this Regional Masterpiece. Special thanks to the Chinese Contractor, Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Corporation (SCEGC), for their professionalism and high-quality work, as well as to the Chinese Supervising Consultants, SIPPR, for ensuring that the work adheres to the approved design and specifications.“I must acknowledge the outstanding contributions of the ECOWAS Project Team comprising Engineers, Technicians, and Administrative staff who worked side-by-side with their Chinese counterparts in managing the project. I want to express my gratitude for your persistent engagement with the project, particularly in evaluating and approving technical matters. Additionally, we commend AIM Consultant, our Quality Assurance Supervising Consultant, for the excellence of your oversight.“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Nigerian Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Federal Capital Development Authority, Nigerian Fire Services and Nigeria Customs Services, for their involvement in overseeing and monitoring the project. Your contributions have been remarkable and we are incredibly grateful.“In conclusion, as we accept the keys to the new ECOWAS Headquarters today, we are reminded of the legacy of our Founding Fathers, the Giants who established this remarkable Regional Community. We pledge to create an even greater legacy for those who will follow us, and for future generations, as we hold regional engagements on the ECOWAS OF THE FUTURE. This new Headquarters will serve as a fitting instrument to drive the regional integration process, fostering enhanced peace and prosperity for all ECOWAS citizens,” Touray said.
Citizenship News
Tuesday, April 28 was eventful in Abuja as the Embassy of China formally handed over the donated office complex for the headquarters of the ECOWAS Commission.
The occasion was attended by dignitaries including His Excellency Yu Dunhai, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria; Her Excellency Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Honorable Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, as well as heads of institutions and commissioners.
In his address, H. E., DR. Omar Alieu Touray, the President of ECOWAS Commission noted that it was an important day for ECOWAS, as it came at an opportune moment when ECOWAS celebrated its 50th year of regional integration.
He noted that the event only marked the project completion and handover of the buildings, adding that the formal inauguration and commissioning of the historic headquarters complex will come later in the year, when the Chairperson of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, H. E. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, along with the host, H. E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other Heads of State will officially Commission the new edifice.
