Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Tuesday, flagged off the reconstruction and upgrading of the State House of Assembly Complex at the cost of N7.8 billion.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony held at the Assembly premises, the Governor said that the State Assembly complex, which was first built in the 1980s by the first Governor of the State, Abubakar Tatari Ali, will now undergo comprehensive transformation.
The Governor who said that the reconstruction work would be done by Architronics Nigeria Ltd, selected through a competitive bidding process added that the contractor had been given 50 percent advanced payment in order to meet up with the 12 months deadline.
He said that for nearly 20 years, no any meaningful renovation had been done on the complex.
According to him, the project is part of his administration’s broader commitment to institutional strengthening across all arms of government.
Mohammed emphasised that the project was not merely infrastructural but a case of equal and just treatment and the symbolic representation of equal respect and strategic investment in the legislative arm of government.
He assured that it is the will of his administration to provide a conducive environment for the lawmakers to carry out their constitutional responsibilities effectively.
Meanwhile, to ensure the lawmakers continue with their legislature activities uninterrupted during the reconstruction period, the Governor said that temporary offices had been provided at the former Deputy Governor’s office.
Earlier in his speech, the Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Danlami Kawule, while giving a detailed breakdown of the project said it includes remodeling of the main legislative chamber, renovation of administrative and committee buildings, construction of a new Assembly Service Commission building, a Solar-powered energy supply of (100 KVA backup system), upgrading of internal roads, drainages, water supply and perimeter fencing.
Kawule assured that he will strictly monitor the project to ensure quality, speedy and timely delivery.
The Speaker, Abubakar Suleiman, who expressed the deepest appreciation of the lawmakers to the governor for the kind gesture, described the renovation as a renewal of both physical structure and democratic commitment.
He also commended the collaborative spirit between the executive and legislative arms, which he said had made legislative service more impactful and productive.
Armstrong Bakam
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