Mr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, announced on Monday that the Millennium Tower project will be completed within the next two years. Wike made this announcement in Abuja following a private meeting with contractors responsible for various projects in the FCT.
The Millennium Tower, situated at Central Area in Abuja, is a versatile structure intended for cultural displays, tourism, social interaction, leisure, hospitality, and commercial ventures. The project, managed by Salini Construction Nigeria Limited, had been abandoned due to insufficient funds.
Wike emphasized that the tower holds significant importance as it will reshape the cityscape of Abuja. He described the endeavor as an ambitious one that aligns with the aspiration of making Abuja one of the world’s premier cities. He underscored the commitment to the project, stating that it is envisioned to become a legacy project for President Bola Tinubu.
The completion goal is set for the next two years, provided the payment structure can be mutually agreed upon with the contractor, Wike mentioned.
The project, initiated in 2005, had reached a 40% completion status. It is anticipated that upon its finalization, the complex will be financially self-sustained through revenue generated by the array of commercial activities within.
The project scope encompasses a cultural centre housing four museums, a spacious arcade spanning 40,000 square meters intended for national and other events, a five-star hotel with 55 luxury rooms and nine suites for approximately 130 individuals, offices, passive and active recreational amenities, a 1200-seat auditorium, conference rooms, exhibition halls, shops, a sports centre with indoor pool, gyms, fitness facilities, squash courts, and a two-level basement car park with a capacity for 1,200 vehicles.
The centrepiece of the project, the Millennium Tower itself, will stand at 170 meters in height and feature a revolving panoramic restaurant capable of accommodating more than 130 diners.
Wike highlighted that a comprehensive assessment of the awarded contracts indicated that several projects had been abandoned due to inadequate funding. Consequently, a prioritization approach has been adopted. The completion of projects managed by Julius Berger will be ensured first.
Wike revealed that the Villa Roundabout project under the purview of China Geo-engineering Corporation (CGC) Nigeria Limited is projected to be finalized within the next six to eight months. Additionally, projects managed by Cetraco Nigeria Ltd are slated for completion, and areas such as Garki, Wuse, and parts of Maitama will receive aesthetic enhancements within the upcoming week.
The minister noted that the contractors will be promptly mobilized for these tasks, and Asokoro will also undergo improvements in the near future.
Regarding the Abuja light rail rehabilitation project, Wike conveyed that an agreement has been reached with CCECC Nigeria Limited to disburse funds within the next two days to enable them to commence work. Discussions on operational costs are scheduled for Thursday to ensure the rehabilitated rail system can be effectively operated.
Wike acknowledged that a key challenge for these projects was the lack of funding from the national budget. In light of this, the ministry intends to prioritize projects that can be completed within a defined timeframe and will decide on subsequent actions for the following year.
Source: (NAN).
Disclaimer
The provided information is intended for general awareness and may not be entirely accurate or up-to-date. The post disclaims any warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the content, services, or graphics on the website. It advises caution when using the information for any purpose.