Wike: FCTA Will Complete Abandoned Millennium Tower in 24 Months

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the iconic Millennium Tower, which has been abandoned due to paucity of funds, will be completed in the next two years.

He disclosed this after a closed-door meeting with contractors handling different projects in the FCT.

The Millennium Tower that straddles the Central Business District in Abuja is a tourist site designed to showcase the country’s unity and strength and provide study and relaxation.

Last year, the Federal Government said that $400 million would be required to complete the 170 metres high tower, which construction started in 2005 by Salini Construction Nigeria Limited, but has been abandoned due to lack of funds.

Wike described the Millennium Tower project as very important as it would change the landscape of Abuja.

“It is a very, very ambitious project, but again if we are talking of Abuja being one of the best cities in the world, then we must have such a facility.

“I can tell you it is not easy to go into that project, but we have decided that whatever it takes, it is going to be one of the legacy projects for President Bola Tinubu.

“In fact, we are looking at the next two years, if the way we are going to structure our payment is agreeable with the contractor,” Wike said.

The project had reached 40 per cent completion and is expected to, upon completion, self-finance itself from revenue generated from all the commercial activities in the complex.

The project, which dominates the National Square, has space for 1,100 cars and houses the National Museum at various levels, the National Theatre, as well as a five-star model hotel with 55 luxury rooms and nine suites for about 130 persons.

Its expansive arcade, which consists of a 40,000 square metre platform, is designed to host national and other events.

In addition, it boasts of offices, passive and active recreational facilities, 1,200 capacity auditorium and conference rooms.

Others are exhibition halls, shops, a sport centre with an indoor pool, gyms, fitness, squash courts and a two-level 1,200 capacity basement car park.

The key feature of the structure designed like a flower surrounded by transparent wings is a revolving panoramic restaurant for more than 130 diners.

Wike noted that a careful analysis of all the awarded contracts with the contractors and his team revealed that most of the projects were abandoned for lack of funds.

“The Minister of State, myself, the permanent secretary, and directors have concluded that it is not possible to carry on with the entire projects in the FCT.

“Therefore, we agreed to take them in order of priority. We have tried to work out most of the projects being handled by Julius Berger and agreed to see that these projects are fully completed,” he said.

He also disclosed that the Villa Roundabout being handled by China Geo-engineering Corporation (CGC) Nigeria Limited, would be completed in the next six to eight months, while the FCTA would also put a facelift on Garki, Wuse and part of Maitama in the next one week.

He said that the contractors would be mobilised immediately, adding that Asokoro would equally have a facelift in no distant time.

On the Abuja light rail rehabilitation project, the minister said that an agreement had been concluded with CCECC Nigeria Limited to give them their money in the next two days so they can go to work.

Wike pointed out that part of the problems of the projects was because they were not being funded by the national budget.