A 21-story smart building constructed by the Akwa Ibom state government in an attempt to attract international oil companies to relocate to the state, to be inaugurated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Uyo on Friday as part of the celebration of the 34th anniversary of the founding of the state.

The multibillion naira building, codenamed Dakkada Towers, is due to be opened alongside another project, the luxury Dakkada estate.

State Information and Strategy Commissioner Ini Ememobong told reporters at a pre-anniversary press conference on Wednesday that the Dakkada estate, located along the airport road, is designed to provide maximum affordable housing for people, while the 21 Dakkada Towers, a smart building located along the central business district in Uyo is to provide office complexes for international oil companies (IOCs) and d ‘other companies springing up in the state.

“On Friday, His Excellency, the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be in Akwa Ibom to inaugurate the Dakkada Estate. When he lands at the airport, he will make his first stop at the Dakkada Luxury Estate to report it. Dakkada Estate is designed to provide maximum affordable housing for people.

“When he leaves the Dakkada luxury estate, he will immediately move to Uyo’s central business district and inaugurate the Dakkada towers. It is a smart and intelligent building equipped with the best communication and security gadgets. he said.

Ememobong listed other projects that will be inaugurated during the anniversary celebration to include 25 kilometers of Uyo-Ikot Ekpene dual road, 12 kilometers of Secretariat road, 2.38 kilometers of University access road. Akwa Ibom State, Ikot Ekpene General Hospital, Oil Palm Transformation Project, 2nd Phase of 45-Meter Span Bridges and 3.5-km David Lawrence Crescent, among others.

He said the anniversary celebration would be low-key, due to COVID-19, and therefore would not attract a public holiday.

Ememobong commended Akwa Ibom State for the quality of the men who had ruled it since its inception, and stressed that God was involved in the selection of the rulers of the state.

“Attah has come to the foundation stage and laid a solid foundation,” Akpabio reported angrily and has done well with industrialization. Udom, a financial expert came as the country’s economy was near depression, followed by Covid-19. So he was prepared for a weather like this ”. he said

Reacting to unrest over Governor Udom Emmanuel’s ability to complete all ongoing projects during the life of the administration, the chief information officer said “completeness will be determined on May 29, 2023”.