By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The recently renovated and commissioned Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre Abuja has generated over N1. 2 billion in just one month to its commencement of operation.
This was disclosed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike during a media parley held in Abuja on Monday.
Wike explained that before the take over of the running of the centre by the FCT Administration which now yielded over N1. 2b generated revenue in just one month after its reopening, the
management before now had been in the hand of a certain senator who only remmitted just N50 million annually to it.
The Minister made this disclosure while justifying the action took by the Administration on revokation of land allocations at the Abuja Technology Village which according to him, the supposed investors had failed to develop the site, but were engaging in land grabbing activities.
He said with the revocation in place, the site will now be use for the ambitious Abuja City Walk project, modeled after the renowned Dubai City Walk.
“The FCTA provided the infrastructure for more than 20 years, and nothing has been done. You go there, they have rented out the place, you see where NNPC tankers are parked, and they collect money. So many people are now claiming to have C of Os. I said okay, I must resolve this problem. There is nothing called Abuja Technology Village”, Barr. Wike asserted.
He expressed regret that despite the FCT Administration providing necessary infrastructure for over two decades, developers had not laid a single foundation stone and were instead leasing out the land for financial gain.
Providing insight into the proposed Abuja City Walk, for which an MOU was recently signed with a private investor, the Minister explained that he was inspired by the development at the Dubai City Walk during his visit to the Gulf city. He reaffirmed government’s desire to provide world-class infrastructure of international standard.
“We are privileged to have travelled. Then when you go to some of these cities, you say, wow! What is difficult that we cannot replicate these in our cities too? These are cities that you can find everything that improves the lives of the people and then will improve the economy and create jobs”, Barr. Wike stated, emphasizing that the Abuja City Walk will improve the lives of residents, create jobs, and bring overall development to the FCT.
Wike expressed confidence in the investors involved in the Abuja City Walk, noting their commitment to providing drawings and making the payment for necessary fees. He further disclosed that performance clauses have been introduced into the agreement, with the first phase of the project slated for commissioning next year. This multi-billion-dollar investment, he believes, will significantly transform the city’s landscape and boost employment.
Addressing efforts to mitigate land grabbing by unscrupulous investors, the Minister announced a policy shift introducing clear timelines for development. Land not developed within the stipulated period will revert to the FCTA, he said.
