Bayelsa State has launched a N46 billion project to build a nine-storey electronic secretariat aimed at enhancing civil service operations. Governor Douye Diri emphasised the initiative’s significance in addressing long-standing office space issues for civil servants. The facility will feature modern amenities and eco-friendly designs, promoting improved service delivery and employee morale.
YENAGOA, Bayelsa — In a landmark development set to redefine public sector infrastructure, Bayelsa State has embarked on an audacious project that promises to elevate the standards of civil service operations.
During a high-profile groundbreaking ceremony in Yenagoa, top government officials unveiled plans for a cutting-edge, nine-storey secretariat destined to become the crown jewel of Governor Douye Diri’s administration.
According to a statement from the Office of the Governor, signed by Chief Press Secretary Daniel Alabrah, the N46 billion project, designed as an electronic secretariat, is an emphatic response to the longstanding demands of civil servants for modern, purpose-built office accommodations.
Speaking with palpable enthusiasm, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, described the new structure as a legacy-defining milestone.
“The civil service is the engine of government,” she declared, emphasising that the new facility would embody professionalism, innovation, and a robust work environment—attributes essential for efficient governance.
Governor Diri, whose visionary leadership has continually pushed for transformative reforms in the state, reaffirmed his commitment by detailing the project’s financial and operational blueprint.
With 30% of the total funds already mobilised and an additional 20% ready for release at project commencement, the Governor assured that funding challenges were well in hand.
He credited the initiative to a recurring Workers’ Day appeal by civil servants and affirmed that the project would effectively address union grievances regarding inadequate office space.
The Governor’s impassioned call for state workers to reciprocate the government’s support resonated deeply with many, reflecting an administration that is both responsive and forward-thinking.
Further adding to the project’s allure, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Moses Teibowei, outlined an impressive array of features that set the secretariat apart.
The planned structure spans an expansive gross area of 26,762.99 square metres, with a footprint of 3,675.633 square metres and ample parking space for 155 vehicles.
Eco-friendly green solutions form a core part of the design, ensuring that the building not only meets modern functional needs but also contributes to environmental sustainability.
In a bid to ensure world-class standards, the Operations Director of Megastar Technical and Construction Company Ltd, Mr Carlos Zanone, confirmed that the edifice would be constructed with state-of-the-art technology and high-quality materials.
Equipped with a solar power-backed system, multiple conference halls, a six-bed sick bay, and even a crèche for working families, the facility is set to become a beacon of modernity in public administration.
Mr Zanone confidently stated that the ambitious 24-month completion timeframe was entirely achievable, a sentiment echoed by other stakeholders at the event.
Civil servants across Bayelsa State have welcomed the project with optimism and anticipation. State Head of Service, Mrs Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Governor Diri, asserting that the new secretariat would realise the dreams of many who have long laboured under inadequate working conditions.
With its modern design and innovative features, the structure is poised to enhance service delivery, boost workforce morale, and set a new benchmark for public sector offices in Nigeria.
As the Bayelsa government embarks on this transformative journey, the new secretariat stands as a testament to a forward-looking administration that values progress, efficiency, and the welfare of its civil servants.
This historic initiative promises not only to elevate the working conditions of public servants but also to serve as a catalyst for broader socio-economic development in the state.
- Additional report by Kalada Jumbo, Atlantic Post National Politics Reporter
