Indigenous Firm Completes Renovation of National Assembly Chambers

After a 40-day recess, the Senate is set to resume plenary sessions on Tuesday, inside the renovated chambers of the National Assembly officially handed over by Visible Construction, a subsidiary of Laralek Ultimate Group of Companies. Marking the successful completion of a project that began in September 2022, relocating both the Senate and the House of Representatives to temporary chambers. The indigenous construction firm, engaged for the first time in such a project at the National Assembly, has impressed staff with the state-of-the-art facilities now available for legislative proceedings. Visible Construction, a subsidiary of the Laralek Ultimate Group of Companies, delivered the chambers just in time for use. Since the commencement of renovation works in September 2022, both the Senate and the House of Representatives had been operating from temporary chambers. The 9th National Assembly concluded its session sine die from these temporary quarters. However, with the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at the temporary chambers, Visible Construction was urged to accelerate the renovation process. Now, after ten months, the indigenous construction firm has successfully delivered the reconfigured chambers to both houses of the National Assembly. The chambers, originally constructed by Arab Contractors, a foreign firm, in 1997/1998 under the late General Sani Abacha-led military government, have undergone significant upgrades. Visible Construction’s involvement in the renovation marks a milestone as the first indigenous firm to engaged in such construction and renovation work at the National Assembly. Staff members of the National Assembly expressed their satisfaction with the completed work, highlighting the modernized facilities and equipment now available. An anonymous staff member noted the improved environment for plenary proceedings, stating that senators and members of the House of Representatives now have conducive chambers for their legislative activities.

Senate and House of Representatives to Return to Main Chambers Following Renovation Completion

After a year and a half of conducting plenary sessions in temporary chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives are preparing to relocate to their main Hallowed Chambers next month as renovation work nears completion. Recent progress indicates that the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers are nearing the final stages of completion. Visible Construction Company Nigeria Limited, the firm responsible for the renovation, has already installed state-of-the-art chairs for federal lawmakers and extended sitting terraces. Tajudeen Olanipekun, the Project Engineer at Visible Construction, assured journalists covering the Senate last week that the remaining work is being carried out swiftly with expertise and precision. The goal is to transform the entire ambiance of the Hallowed Chambers and its surroundings, aiming for project delivery next month. This development aligns with a directive from the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal, emphasizing the urgency of the Senate and the House of Representatives returning to their main chambers. During an interactive session with journalists covering the Senate, Akpabio stressed the need for expeditious completion of the renovation works. He noted that the temporary chambers, used since 2022, are not suitable for hosting visitors from outside the country. Journalists covering the Senate conducted on-site assessments of the renovation progress, visiting both Chambers under renovation last Friday. They observed fully transformed, upgraded, and reconfigured hallowed chambers that meet global standards. The renovation project, awarded to Visible Construction Limited by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in March 2021 at a cost of N30 billion, includes critical segments of the National Assembly complex. These segments involve office buildings housing accommodation for Senators and Honourable Members, roof watertightness improvements, enhancements to the cooling system, and the replacement of inoperable lifts throughout the complex.