ByOrowo Victoria Ojieh
United States Mission to Nigeria has performed a historic groundbreaking of its new Consulate General in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos State.
On the occasion, it said it was committed to strengthening its enduring Nigeria relationship, investing in the partnership for the benefit of the two countries.
At the historic groundbreaking ceremony highlighting the enduring bilateral friendship and partnership, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu joined U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard and Consul General Claire Pierangelo on Thursday to officially mark the beginning of construction on a new, modern consulate. Located on a 12.2-acre site in the rapidly developing Eko Atlantic City, the new consulate will support diplomatic and commercial relations.
It will also provide American and Nigerian Consulate employees with a safe, secure, sustainable and modern workplace, The Trumpet gathered.
The $537 million new consulate project will directly benefit the Nigerian people. Throughout the project, an estimated $95 million will be invested in the local economy.
The project will employ approximately 2,500 Nigerians, including engineers, architects, artisans, construction workers and administrative staffers.
The workers will have the opportunity to learn new technical skills and safety awareness that will help distinguish them in the local market. Leonard thanked Nigeria and Lagos for their support.
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“Our vision for this remarkable Consulate campus is to create a facility that both honors the vibrant relationship between the United States and Nigeria and communicates the spirit of American democracy, transparency and openness,” Leonard said.
“Nigeria and the United States have a long-standing history of people-to-people engagement fostering bridges between our two nations. We look forward to the many accomplishments we will continue to achieve together in the future,” Consul General Claire Pierangelo said.
The new consulate will provide a modern space for the largest consular operation in Africa, including improved public-facing interview and waiting areas.
When completed, it will be the largest U.S. Consulate in the world, demonstrating the importance of the relationship between the United States and Nigeria.
The project targets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification ––a globally recognized designation for achievement in high performance, best-inclass, green buildings –– and incorporates many features designed to make the building more sustainable.
Ennead Architects LLP of New York is the design architect, Pernix Federal, LLC of Lombard, Illinois, is the design/build contractor, and EYP, Inc. of Albany, New York, is the architect of record. The project will take approximately five years, with completion expected in 2027.
