The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has announced that the administration will complete its work on the abandoned Millennium Tower and Cultural Centre project within two years.
Wike said this to newsmen on Monday evening after the meeting with the contractors.
He noted that President Tinubu viewed the Millennium Tower and Cultural Centre as one of his “legacy projects” and it will, therefore, be prioritized.
“I can tell you that it is not going to be easy going into that project, but I can equally tell you that we have decided that for whatever it takes, it is going to be one of the legacy projects for Mr President to complete in the next few years.
“Certainly, we are looking at the next two years to see if the way we are going to structure our payment is agreeable with the contractors,” Wike said.
Wike noted that the Millennium Tower Project is a key project for Abuja.
The gigantic structure will house facilities for cultural exposition, tourism, socialisation, recreation, hospitality, and commercial activities.
The project was previously overseen by Salini Construction Nigeria Limited until lack of funds meant it had to be abandoned.
“It is a 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,” Wike emphasized.
The project consists of a cultural centre with four museums and an expansive arcade consisting of 40,000 m2 for hosting national and other events in the country.
It also comprises of a five-star hotel complete with 55 luxury rooms and nine suites for about 130 people, offices, passive and active recreational facilities, a 1200-capacity auditorium, and conference rooms.
Others include: exhibition halls, shops, a sport centre with an indoor pool, fitness centres, gyms, squash courts, and a two-level, 1,200-capacity basement car park.
The Millennium Tower, a 170-meter-tall structure accommodating a revolving panoramic restaurant for more than 130 diners, was birthed in 2005 but could only get to 40% completion level.
Once completed, the revenues generated from all the commercial activities in the complex will make it financially independent.
Wike stated that the general cost of carrying out all the projects in the FCT was too high, hence the need to focus on this and a handful of others only.
“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,” Wike said.