The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) says it is remodelling its headquarters in Lafia to provide a conducive working environment for staff and enhance the commission’s capacity to deliver on its development mandate.

The managing director of the commission, Cyril Tsenyil, stated this on Wednesday in Lafia while handing over the headquarters remodelling project to the contractor.

Mr Tsenyil said the commission, which was barely one year old, needed to urgently upgrade its facilities ahead of the commencement of its full operations and staff employment.

He said providing adequate office space and a conducive working environment was critical to enabling staff to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

“We need to start projects; we need to employ staff, and therefore the need for us to upgrade this facility became very imperative.

“You cannot recruit staff without a space for them to work. You need to accommodate your staff adequately, and that is why we are handing over this project to the contractor to quickly commence the job,” he said.

The managing director urged the contractor to complete the project within the stipulated period, stressing that the commission could not afford further delays in commencing its operations.

He said the project, valued at about N400 million, would be completed within 16 weeks, adding that the remodelling would extend to parts of the managing director’s office.

Mr Tsenyil charged the contractor to adhere strictly to the approved design and bill of quantities, insisting that the project must be executed to the required standard.

“We insist on standards because what we do here will also be replicated in all the projects we are going to execute.

“If we have a very shady headquarters, it means that is what we are going to do, but God forbid. We insist on the standards of the job,” he said.

He said professionals and relevant oversight institutions would be engaged to monitor the project and ensure compliance with specifications.

Mr Tsenyil expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for establishing the NCDC and providing the necessary support for the commission to fulfil its mandate.

He also commended Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, who is also Chairman of the North Central Governors’ Forum, for providing office accommodation and other facilities for the commission.

He recalled that Mr Sule had renovated and furnished the office currently occupied by the managing director and executive directors and also provided the massive structure being remodelled for use by other units of the commission.

The managing director described the gesture as a demonstration of the governor’s commitment to the success of the NCDC and development of the North Central region.

Executive Director of the commission, Atika Ajanah, said the remodelling was aimed at ensuring that the headquarters provided a modern and conducive environment for staff.

Ms Ajanah said that the facility was expected to accommodate at least 100 staff members when completed.

She said the commission currently had five directorates, with the executive directors and their respective teams requiring adequate office space to effectively perform their duties.

“The environment has to be conducive for everyone who will be working here.

“We are looking at housing not less than 100 staff here by the time full operation commences, and of course, all the executive directors will have their offices here,” she said.

Site Manager of Geodata World Services, Jim Jibrin, the contractor handling the project, assured the commission of timely completion within 16 weeks.

Mr Jibrin said the contractor had put the necessary arrangements in place to commence work immediately.

He assured that the building would have a new outlook within 15 to 16 weeks. 

The NCDC was established by the federal government to facilitate the development of the North Central geopolitical zone through coordinated interventions in infrastructure, human capital development and other critical sectors. 

(NAN)