The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday said the Federal Government last year alone committed over N8.9trn to infrastructural development in the country.

He said the amount represented the highest any administration would expend on infrastructural development in the country’s history.

Osinbajo spoke in Akwa Ibom State during the inauguration of the 21-storey Dakkada Towers.

“Since the inception of our administration, Mr President has prioritised the development of infrastructure, roads, rail, power and despite the severe economic downturn we have experienced in the first six years, we have invested more than any administration in infrastructure.

“As of last year, we have expended over N8.9tn on infrastructure. Just last month, the Federal Executive Council approved the Lagos-Calabar rail project, which will pass through Uyo as a major station. At the end of last year, the Federal Executive Council also approved the full business case of the Ibom Deep Seaport.

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“These infrastructural developments are set to establish Akwa Ibom State as a major industrial hub for not just Nigeria, but in the West African sub-region,” Osinbajo said.

The VP lauded the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, for what he described as his vision in the industralisation of the state.

He said the inaugurated Dakkada Towers would oil companies to relocate to Akwa Ibom State.

“But this building is not just the tallest in the South-South and South-East regions, it is certainly among the tallest in Nigeria and in West Africa. The completion of the Dakkada Towers will most definitely address the question of the paucity of world-class office accommodation for both local and corporate international companies, especially oil and gas companies.”

In his remarks, Emmanuel said the Dakkada Tower was the “smartest, intelligent, most modern building Nigeria can boost of today in Akwa Ibom.”

He said the completion and inauguration of the project had proved naysayers wrong about his commitment and vision.