Americans flag off the construction of their largest consulate in the world at Eko Atlantic City

AMERICAN consular officials have flagged off the construction of their $537m new building to be constructed at Eko Atlantic City in Lagos in an ambitious development plan that will see them build the largest US mission in the world in Nigeria.

Under plans recently drawn up, the US mission plans the construction of the proposed consulate located on a 12.2-acre site in Eko Atlantic City, with the project expected to be completed by 2027. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Mary Beth Leonard, the US ambassador to Nigeria, said that the new consulate would support diplomatic and commercial relations between the two countries.

She added that the new consulate would also provide American and Nigerian consulate employees with a safe, secure, sustainable, and modern workplace. Ms Leonard said: “The soon to commence 10-storey building will be the largest US consulate in the world and our goal is to achieve leadership in energy and design.”

Also speaking, Claire Pierangelo, the US consul-general in Lagos, said both countries had a long-standing history of people-to-people engagement which fostered bridges. She stressed that the US was looking forward to the many accomplishments that would continue to be achieved with Nigeria in the future.

Governor  Babajide Sanwoolu said the construction of the largest US consulate in the world in Lagos was an indication of the importance of US-Nigeria relations and Lagos in particular. He said the groundbreaking project would usher in a new chapter in the bilateral journey of both countries.

“When it is completed, it will present new opportunities for Nigerians and Americans that will come into this facility. The consulate design also highlights the great deal of thorough and meaningful collaboration between local and international designers and the careful selection of symbolic Nigerian and American elements is truly inspiring.

“It is not about the aesthetics of the project alone but also the functionality, sustainability and focus on local collaborations,” Governor Sanwoolu added.

Nidal Zayed, the chief executive of the Pernix Group, the design contractor of the project, said that an estimated $95m would be invested in the local economy in executing the project which would employ approximately 2,500 Nigerians. These, he said, will include engineers, architects, artisans, construction workers and administrative staff.

Among other things, the construction targets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Certification. This is a globally recognised designation for achievement in high performance, best-in-class, green buildings, which incorporates many features designed to make a building more sustainable.