Cross River Signs N9.8bn Construction Contract For International Convention Centre

CALABAR, June 05, (THEWILL) - The Cross River State government and BNL Engineering and Construction Limited on Tuesday signed a contract for the construction of a 2000-seater multi-purpose convention centre valued at N9.8bn.

Speaking at the contract signing ceremony in Calabar, governor of the state, Senator Liyel Imoke explained that the project would transform the economy and landscape of the state by positioning it as a preferred destination for meetings, conferences, incentives and exhibitions in the country and the West African sub region.

Governor Imoke recalled that there is no purpose-built conference centre in the country, with all the amenities and facilities expected of an international convention centre. He said the planned facility would fill that void.

He maintained that the development of the project is strategic for the state, as it has the capacity to catalyse other projects, such as the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort and other hospitality and tourism facilities as well as guarantee year-round business and leisure traffic to the state.

The governor said the centre would be designed by one of the best architects in the world, and the long, painstaking process would produce a pleasing final outcome.

“The Calabar International Convention Centre will be outstanding and will have the best conference equipment and facilities to compete in the global economy because of its advantage,” he said. “Apart from conferencing, the Centre will also boost tourism and entertainment, as it is located within the precincts of the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort.”

Managing Director of BNL Engineering Limited, Mr. Andre Guilou, assured of the company’s commitment to delivering the project as scheduled, commending the state for selecting it to be a part of the laudable project, He promised to work within the specified time and budget.

Also speaking, special adviser, Governor’s Office, Mr. Nzan Ogbe disclosed that several companies participated in the procurement process, but after an open and competitive bidding process, three companies were pre-qualified and BNL eventually emerged as the preferred bidder.

He said that of all the bidders, BNL showed the highest technical and financial capacity to execute the project within the given time frame and budget, given its vast resources and experience in similar projects.

He signed on behalf of the state government while the managing director BNL Engineering, Mr. Andre Guilou signed for the company.