N400bn Cost Puts Millennium Tower Beyond FCTA’s Reach, Says Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that completing the long-abandoned Millennium Tower in Abuja would require between N300 billion and N400 billion, a financial commitment he said is beyond the capacity of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Speaking on Thursday during an inspection of ongoing road and infrastructure projects across the nation’s capital, Wike said the enormous cost of completing the iconic structure would consume resources needed for other critical projects, making it impractical for the FCTA to fund the project from its budget.

The minister revealed that he had appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take over the project as a strategic national undertaking, describing the Millennium Tower as a landmark with significant tourism and national value.

According to him, the project should be treated as a Federal Government initiative rather than left solely to the FCT Administration.

“That is a national project, and I believe it is one project the Federal Government should reconsider. It should be developed as a tourism project because the capital required is too huge for the FCT to undertake alone,” Wike said.

He explained that the Millennium Tower was originally awarded during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo but has remained uncompleted for decades.

The prolonged delay, coupled with rising construction costs and changing economic realities, has significantly increased the amount required to complete the project.

“We have held discussions with the contractor. As I speak to you, the contractor estimates that completing the project will cost between N300 billion and N400 billion. If we commit that amount to one project, it means virtually every other infrastructure project in Abuja will have to be abandoned.

“We are, however, discussing with Mr President to reconsider it as a national project because of its strategic importance. That is where we are at the moment,” he said.

While acknowledging the setback posed by the Millennium Tower, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded on several ongoing infrastructure projects across the FCT, particularly the dualisation of the Airport Road to Kuje.

He recalled that when the current administration assumed office in August 2023, work on the road project had stalled despite the contract having been awarded to Arab Contractors.

“During our stakeholders’ meeting in Kuje shortly after we came into office, we discovered that the Airport Road to Kuje project had been awarded, but the contractor was not on site.

“We engaged Arab Contractors and agreed that the project should be delivered as part of the first anniversary of this administration,” he said.

According to the minister, the road has become one of the finest infrastructure projects in the capital, commending the contractor for maintaining high construction standards.

“You can agree with me that it is one of the best-quality roads in Abuja. Looking at the quality of work, the Managing Director has assured us that they will continue to play their part as long as we fulfil our obligations. By the grace of God, the project will be handed over to Mr President in December,” he said.

Wike also assured contractors that the FCTA would continue to honour its financial commitments, noting that the confidence built between the administration and construction firms had enabled work to continue even when payments were delayed.

“There is mutual trust between us and these companies. They have never disappointed us, and I have confidence in their ability to deliver. I am highly impressed with the pace of construction, the quality of work and the commitment shown by the contractors,” he said.

The minister maintained that the Tinubu administration had made significant progress in transforming Abuja through sustained investment in road infrastructure and urban renewal projects.

“Every objective observer will agree that the Tinubu administration is transforming Abuja into a truly world-class capital city,” he added.

Responding to concerns about abandoned projects, Wike reiterated his administration’s commitment to completing all ongoing projects, including those inherited from previous administrations.

“Is there any project we have started and abandoned? Even projects awarded as far back as 2010 are now being completed. The projects awarded by this administration will also be completed,” he said.

Expressing optimism about the pace of execution, the minister said all the road projects currently under construction and those recently flagged off would, barring unforeseen circumstances, be completed before the end of the year.

“I don’t want to be pessimistic. I am confident that all the road projects we have inspected, together with those already commissioned and newly flagged off, will be completed by the end of this year,” Wike assured.