News
Senate Embarks on Revitalization of Abuja Centenary City Development
The senate launched an initiative on Tuesday to revive and complete the Abuja Centenary Economic City project, which has been abandoned along Airport Road in the nation’s capital.
Following a motion proposed by Senator Ashiru Oyelola (Kwara South), the Senate unanimously passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to prioritize the project’s revival. The resolution calls for providing necessary support, resolving regulatory challenges, and addressing any other obstacles that have hindered the project’s progress for the past ten years.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Senate Leader described the project’s vision to establish a smart city comparable to Dubai, Monaco, and Singapore. He noted that the project was initially launched on January 1, 2014, to commemorate Nigeria’s 100th anniversary.
According to the Deputy Senate Leader, the original estimated investment for the Abuja Centenary Economic City project in 2014 was 18.5 billion US dollars, which is comparable to the size of Nigeria’s national budget at the current exchange rate.
The project Ashiru explained was meant to serve as a potential economic hub, with plans to create over 150,000 construction jobs, 250,000 permanent well-paying jobs, residential accommodation for over 200,000 residents, and facilities to attract over 500,000 daily visitors, among others.
He explained further; “The Abuja Centenary City was designated as a free trade zone under the regulatory oversight of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), without prejudice to other statutory agencies like the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja Investment Company (AIC) and Abuja Infrastructure Investment Centre (AIC);
“That significant progress has been made on the similarly ambitious $ 6 billion Eke Atlantic City development project in Lagos. A 25-km land reclamation project with varied completed residential towers, an 8-lane boulevard, marinas, water treatment facilities, and power infrastructure among others.
“The Abuja Centenary City project has stalled for almost ten years since its commencement, with developmental estimates of less than 7% of road construction and other critical infrastructure as judged by the report of the independent investigation assessment. (November 2023). This falls drastically short of expectations and the original vision of the project’s conception; Ashiru also raised concerns about the ambiguity in regulatory and implementation issues between the concerned stakeholders leading to neglect of the project’s design blueprint.”
He added that completion of the City project will have immense benefits for Nigeria including job creation, elevating Nigeria’s profile as an attractive destination for foreign investment, tourism and events, and overall national development.
Borno South Ali Ndume in his contribution asked his colleagues to support the motion saying that apart from its economic benefits, the completion of the Project will be among the legacies of the 10th Senate.
He said; “If there is significant progress in that Project anybody that sees it will remember the 10th Senate. In Egypt, we have the construction of a new city called the “New Cairo” where we have shopping malls, Police stations, among others.
“Now it has been completed with a New National Assembly complex, Chinese City and the city of Cairo is connected with a speed train and it started 10 years ago. That means the cetermary city should have been concluded by now.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, supported the motion, expressing concern about the increasing congestion in Abuja. He stated, "It’s a fantastic city, but Abuja is already getting congested. We must take this seriously." Akpabio emphasized that the project is primarily driven by the private sector and that the Federal Government has limited involvement.
In addition to urging the Federal Government to prioritize the project’s revival, the Senate also resolved to:
• Mandate its Committee on FCT to conduct an urgent investigation into the factors hindering the project’s completion.
• Task the committee with reviewing the original public-private partnership agreement and recommending amendments, if necessary, to ensure the project’s smooth and timely completion within a specified timeframe.
The Lagos State Government has said it would soon arrange a meeting with developers/owners of distressed buildings on how best to address the redesign and remodelling of such structures by November.
This was disclosed recently by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, at a function in Alahusa, Lagos.
Olumide said the prevalence of distressed buildings in different parts of the state was worrisome and needed the urgent attention of all stakeholders.
He said, “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as mandated by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019, as amended, was willing to extend its responsibility for approving the remodelling of existing buildings to provide technical assistance to developers and owners of distressed buildings, especially on the design and remodelling of such buildings.
The Federal Government has instructed the contractors responsible for the 107km Enugu-Onitsha road dualization to expedite the project.
This directive was given by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a meeting with MTN, the Enugu State Government, and the contractors, RCC Ltd and Nigercat Ltd, on Friday.
According to a statement released on Friday, the minister said he is disappointed over the slow pace of work on the project, he said, “Let me express my disappointment over the slow pace of work on that project. It is one of the worst roads in this country.
“Everywhere we have diversion; diverting from the one that RCC and Nigercat had completed, the contractors are not kind enough to even put stone based on the diversion points.”
He added, “So, by the reason of the launching of our Operation Free our Roads, it is now a violation of the policy on the side of the controllers and directors of the Federal Ministry of Works where we have vehicles falling on any project that is ongoing or where there are potholes on our roads.”
He also blamed the sufferings of road users on the lack of commitment and insensitivity of the contractors.
“The public must know that the President’s intention is not for them to suffer while trying to fix the roads, and it is their right to insist that contractors should fix the roads that they are engaged on,” he said.
The Minister commended the Enugu state government for their resolve to fund the construction of a 20 KM section of the road and expressed hope that MTN would execute the second phase of the project.
He noted, “Why the Enugu State government is intervening is because of the slow pace of work by the contractors and because of funding issues. The essence of tax credit is for funds to be made available. And so, I don’t see RCC going to keep their promise to finish this project in 6 months.
“My advice to MTN is to look for another contractor within that axis if they want to get the job done. Division of labour is even the best. While they are doing the road, and if Nigercat is doing a good job, you can give them greater scope to do if you want to finish that job.”
He warned contractors that the Federal Government would not accept phased handovers of projects and has phased out Variation of Price in contract administration.
The Ekiti State government has intervened to resolve a longstanding land dispute between the Elepe of Epe-Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adesoye, and the Atolagbe family. The government cautioned against the misuse of modernization as an excuse to disregard traditional customs.
In line with the community’s traditions, the government has ordered the release of resources, including palm trees at Oko Oba Farmland, to Oba Adesoye for his administration. This decision ensures the continued adherence to age-old practices.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, announced the resolution in Ado-Ekiti. The decision was made after considering the Elepe’s claim to Oko Oba Farmland based on historical evidence.
Mrs. Afuye acknowledged the Elepe’s right to be the custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, citing longstanding traditions that support his claim. The decision reflects the importance of respecting historical practices and ensuring their preservation.
The deputy governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other princes and princesses from all the three ruling houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.
Oba Adesoye expressed gratitude for the government’s decision and pledged to foster peace and unity between the throne and the community, aiming to accelerate Epe’s development.
Representing the Atolagbe family, Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba acknowledged their willingness to cede Oko Oba Farmland to the monarch. However, he emphasized the need for all three ruling houses to participate for a lasting and traditional solution.
Agbeleoba expressed appreciation for the government’s directive, believing it will contribute to resolving the long-standing conflict.
-
News2 years agoA TENANT IS NOT ENTITLED TO REFUND OF RENT WHERE HE UNILATERALLY SURRENDERS TENANCY
-
News2 years agoHOW PASTOR ASHIMOLOWO BECAME BIG IN REAL ESTATE
-
General2 years agoSeven Most Popular and Influential Young Real Estate CEOs in Nigeria
-
News1 year agoUnderstanding the importance of a certificate of occupancy in land ownership
-
News1 year agoBig C Properties Boss, Aforjama to be Honored as Anambra Real Estate Person of the Year
-
News2 years agoLAND TITLE VERIFICATION EXERCISE IN OGOMBO
-
News2 years agoRevolutionPlus Property Unveils New Executive Management Team
-
News2 years agoLagos socialite accused of unlawful demolition of N800 million property