Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has embarked on the construction of a Regional Office Complex for the South-East in Enugu.
Speaking during the groundbreaking on Thursday, the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Dr Ezra Yakusak, said there was the need for public officers to always put their interest in government properties for the interest of Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the land for the office complex was acquired in 1993 by the council.
Yakusak said that the success of the groundbreaking was a landmark in the history of the council.
He praised the commitment and team work of management of the council to the success of the event.
“I am happy that all of us here are working as a team, it is a bit a emotional for me.
“This land was allocated in 1993 and we are now in 2023, 30 years after we are just doing a groundbreaking ceremony,” he said.
The executive director said it was regrettable that some public officers were not interested in government properties under their care.
“We should just start putting interest in government properties as if it is our own property.
“It is our property; this is where we work; this is where we earn our living; it is what we do,” he said.
He said that his administration was determined to seeing to the completion of the project.
In her address, Mrs Esther Ikporah, NEPC South-East Regional Coordinator, said that the regional office was highly honoured by presence of the executive director and his management team.
Ikporah said that the event was more than just the beginning of construction of the complex.
She said: “It embodies the vision, dedication, and collaborative efforts that have brought us to this point.
“As we begin the construction of our new office building, we are also laying the foundation for future growth and development of the non-oil export business in the state.”
She said the new office building would be a modern and efficient workspace and serve as a symbol of the organisation’s unwavering commitment to development of non-oil export sector.
According to her: “As we move forward, we will remember the significance of this day as a journey that marks the beginning of achieving greater heights.”
Speaking, the contractor handling the project, Okoro Osa, said his company, Gridline Construction, was happy to be given the contract.
He assured the NEPC management that the work would be completed before the14 months deadline.
“We assure you that within the stipulated tome, this project will be completed,” he said.
