Federal civil servants in Osun State have expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in completing the Federal Secretariat project, 14 years after it was first awarded.
The project, located in the Oke-Bale area along Ibokun Road, Osogbo, was awarded in 2011 and slated for completion in 2014. However, it remains unfinished to date.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some federal workers urged the Federal Government to investigate the reasons behind the delay and ensure the project’s completion.
Simeon Olanrewaju, a staff member of one of the federal ministries in the state, said the delay was unacceptable.
“No matter what might have caused it, 14 years is too long for such a project. If care isn’t taken, it might eventually be abandoned,” he said, appealing to President Bola Tinubu to complete it under his Renewed Hope Agenda.
Another civil servant, Mary Richards, described the project as “seemingly unending,” lamenting that federal offices across the state remain scattered in unsuitable rented apartments.
“Only a few ministries have their own buildings. The majority operate from rented spaces that are not befitting of Federal Government offices,” she said.
Mayowa Olabisi, another federal worker, also questioned why the Federal Government could not complete a three-storey building in over a decade.
“The contractor should be invited to explain the reasons for this delay,” he said, urging the President to ensure its completion.
A private building consultant, Abass Ogunlana, attributed the delay to poor project management and monitoring, noting that billions of naira had already been spent without results.
Similarly, building engineer Lukman Ayanfe said the situation tarnished the image of the Federal Government and affected workers’ morale.
When contacted, the Chief Resident Architect of the Federal Ministry of Housing in Osun, Sebastian Abang, revealed that the project was about 80% complete.
“Progress depends on budgetary allocations and the release of funds. We cannot determine when it will be completed, as major decisions are made from Abuja,” he explained.
NAN
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