The multi-million Euro East African Community (EAC) headquarters building, which has been under construction for the last three years, has been completed.
The complex, adjacent to the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) where the regional body was temporarily housed, was constructed at the cost of 14 million Euro being a grant from Germany.
The official hand-over of the Construction Certificate of Practical Completion of the new EAC Headquarters by the Project Manager of the GBC Consortium, Mr. Jens Malte Neuhaus to the EAC Secretariat took place two weeks ago.
Receiving the Certificate of Practical Completion on behalf of the EAC, the deputy secretary general (Finance and Administration) Mr. Jean Claude Nsengiyumva hailed the German Government through the KFW for the financial contributions towards the project.
He also commended the contractors and staff of the EAC for the dedicated work that led to the successful execution of the project from November 2009 when the foundation stone was laid by the five EAC presidents.
"This handover ceremony is historic in that it concludes the construction work and gives us the opportunity to own and occupy this new building", the deputy SG said as other senior officials and project consultants and contractors watched.
He said a team led by the Project Consultant was exceptionally committed, dedicated and exhibited a high level of professionalism since the civil works on the building started about three years ago.
"This building will inspire the East African people to look at the bigger picture of the political integration" asserted the EAC official.
Present to witness the ceremony was the Registrar of the East African Court of Justice, Professor John Eudes Ruhangisa, the Director of Finance and Administration, Joseph Ochwada and other EAC officials.
In his brief remarks, the EAC Senior Estates Officer and Project Co-ordinator, Mr. Phil Makini Klerruu noted that the team overseeing the works would complete outstanding works in due course as per the contractual agreement.
'We have identified a list of minor and superficial defects and discussed the same with the contractors. Let me at the outset allay any fears but rather confirm that the said works shall be finalised' , he noted.
The EAC Organs have started occupying the new building. The successful completion of the EAC headquarters project located at the junction of Afrika ya Mashariki Road and the EAC Close is regarded as one of the tangible achievements of the Community in infrastructure upgrading.
The other is the 243 kilometre Arusha-Namanga- Athi River road whose rehabilitation has just been completed. The road has been built under the East African Road Project.
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