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Tag: centenary city

  • AICL, Centenary City partner on development

    AICL, Centenary City partner on development

    The Group Managing Director of Abuja Investments Company Limited, Her Excellency Ambassador Maureen Tamuno and Centenary City’s management have expressed optimism about future collaboration.

    This was disclosed when Amb Tamuno visited the Centenary City Free Zone, Abuja. They were received by the MD, Dr. Ike Odenigwe.

    The purpose of the visit was to explore potential partnership opportunities, reflecting the renewed commitment to accelerating the development and investment prospects of Centenary City and ultimately, Abuja.

    The duo discussed the current development status aimed at assessing the latest developments and the current state of construction and infrastructure within Centenary City.

    “Investment potential aimed at identifying strategic investment opportunities that can enhance economic growth and urban development.

    “Sustainability Efforts targeted at evaluating the initiatives in place to ensure the project’s environmental sustainability and adherence to international standards and technological advancements that will explore the incorporation of smart technologies designed to create a modern, efficient, and sustainable urban environment.

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     “Being on the ground provides a different perspective, allowing us to see things first hand. Our primary duty is to facilitate and create favorable conditions,” said the GMD of AICL. She emphasized the importance of a detailed work plan and understanding project phases for active progress. Additionally, she reaffirmed AICL’s commitment to stimulating Abuja’s economy through the partnership with Centenary City on behalf of their parent organization, the FCTA.

     Appreciating AICL’s proactive approach, Dr. Ike said: “Today marks a significant moment for Centenary City as we receive the first-ever visit from a Group Managing Director of AICL. This visit is a testament to the commitment of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and it fulfills President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.”

  • Centenary City project to create 250,000 jobs

    AS construction is about to begin at the Centenary City in Abuja, controversies over compensation may once again hamper the success of the project, which is aimed at putting Abuja on the world tourism map.

    The project is expected to generate about 250,000 new jobs when it finally takes off.

    Original inhabitants of the area designated said they must be paid compensation for their farm land, but the project handlers are insisting that compensation has been paid on the land, therefore the call for further compensation should not arise.

    The Emir of Jawa, Alhaji Idris Musa, said although in accordance with the laws of the country, all land belonged to the government, the same law said those occupying the land needed to be compensated, relocated and resettled, adding that his subjects were still waiting to be relocated.

    He said after the initial compensation given to them, the project was supposed to have taken off and provided employment opportunity for his subject, noting that the delay in the take-off of the project gave rise to agitations by the inhabitants, whose land was taken and had no land to farm on.

    The monarch said: “We expect that if the project starts, it will absorb our people and they will be busy doing something to keep them busy. But the delay led to agitation. The compensation paid to them is finished, yet, they have nothing to fall back on.

    “They have returned to farm on their land. So, they should be paid compensation for their crops and the government should ensure that the project starts so that there will be no more agitation.”

    It was, however, learnt that over N1 billion was paid as compensation for the about 1,262 hectare earmarked for the Centenary City, with only N306 million paid for the economic trees in the land, while the rest went to developers.

    The Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), Emmanuel Jime, said the issues that hampered the take-off of the project were meant to celebrate Nigeria’s centenary anniversary.

    He said the realisation of the project would encourage direct foreign investment into the country, describing it as a flagship project, which would provide the kind of infrastructure that had not been seen before in the country.

    The Managing Director of Centenary City Plc, Ikechukwu Michaels, said about 40 local and foreign investors would participate in the development of the city, adding that it would be the best free zone project.

    He said the project was a private sector driven project with no contribution of the government into its financing, noting that it would cost the private sector about 18 billion dollars to complete, providing about 150,000 jobs.

    One of the investors in the project, Alhaji Baba Dantata, said he would begin the construction of what he called Buhari Tower in the Centenary City within the next two months to cater for the interest of civil servants, who would not be able to afford most of the houses that would be built there.

    Dantata, a Polo promoter, said the houses in tower would be sold to civil servants at N15million, which was the maximum approved for low income houses by the Federal Mortgage Bank.

    He dismissed claim that the Buhari tower was a political campaign strategy for the president, saying he was not a politician, but was only naming the project after the President because of his belief

  • Abuja centenary city to generate 250,000 jobs

    As controversy threatens project take off

    As preparation for construction work to commence at the Centenary City in Abuja, controversies over compensation may once again hamper the success of the project which is aimed at putting Abuja on the world tourism map.

    The project is expected to generate about 250,000 new jobs when it finally takes off.

    Original inhabitants of the area designated said they must be paid compensation for their farm land, but the project handlers are insisting that compensation has been paid on the land and therefore the call for further compensation should not arise.

    The Emir of Jawa, Alhaji Idris Musa even though in accordance with the laws of the country, All land belong to government, the same law said that those occupying the land need to be compensated, relocated and resettled, pointing out that his subjects are still waiting to be relocated.

    He said after the initial compensation given to them, the project was supposed to have taken off and provide employment opportunity for his subject, pointing out that the delay in the take take off of the project gave rise to agitations by the inhabitants whose land was taken and have no land to farm on.

    He said “we expect that if the project starts, it will absorb our people and they will be busy doing something to keep the, busy. But the delay led to agitation. The compensation that was paid to them is finished and yet, they have nothing to fall back on.

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    “They have returned to farm on their land. So, they should be paid compensation for their crops and the government should ensure that the project starts so that there will be no more agitation”.

    It was however learnt that over N1 Billion was paid as compensation for the about 1,262 hectare of land earmarked for the Centenary City, with only N306 Million paid for the Economic trees in the land while the rest went to developers in the area.

    Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), Emmanuel Jime said all contending issues that hampered the takeoff of the project which was meant to celebrate Nigeria’s Centenary anniversary.

    He said that the realization of the project will encourage Direct Foreign Investment into the country, describing it as a flagship project which will provide the kind of infrastructures that have not been seen before in the country.

    Managing Director of Centenary City Plc, Ikechukwu Michaels said about 40 local and foreign investors will participate in the development of the city, pointing out that it will be the best free zone project in the country.

    He said the project was fully a private sector driven project with no single contribution of the government into its financing, adding that it will cost the private sector about 18 billion dollars to complete, providing about 150,000 jobs.

    Meanwhile, one of the investors in the project, Alhaji Baba Dantata has said he will begin the construction of what he called Buhari Tower in the Centenary City within the next two months to cater for the interest of civil servants who will not be able to afford most of the houses that will be built there.

    Dantata, a stanch Polo promoter said the houses in tower will be sold to civil servants at the cost of N15million which is the maximum approved for low income houses by the Federal Mortgage Bank.

    He dismissed any claim that the Buhari tower was a political campaign strategy for the President, saying he is not a politician, but was only naming the project after the President because of his personal believe in what the President stand for.

     

     

  • Where is the city?

    From the look of things, building a so-called Centenary City as a monument to the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 is like building castles in the air.  The centenary of the amalgamation in 2014 was an opportunity for the Goodluck Jonathan administration to do something worthy of the historic occasion.

    The theme of the Nigerian Centenary Project was “One Nigeria, Great Promise.”  The organisers said the 12-month long festivity would “highlight the key concepts of unity, indivisibility, virility, progress and the promise of the Nigerian federation.” The vision: “to project a united, vibrant and progressive nation that is ready to be a world leader.” The mission: “to re-inspire a sense of unity in all Nigerians.” A major objective of the project was to “institute legacy projects that will serve as a lasting reference for the Centenary.”

    About three years after the noisy celebration, it is time to ask what happened at that time. In particular, where is the over N13bn reportedly raised for the Centenary Project?  Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim and his wife may have an idea what happened to the money.

    A report said:  ”Anyim, his wife, 20 firms and others are being probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged fraud in the massive project….According to a document, which our correspondent stumbled on, 37 investors subscribed to the project, which was floated to mark the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914 by the late Sir Frederick Lord Lugard, the first Governor-General of Nigeria. In all, $80, 750,000 (N13, 162, 250,000 then) was paid by investors.”

    Further information: “Precious Integrated Company Limited owned by Mrs. Anyim was given 5% equity worth N815m for rendering services in kind, according to a document The Nation stumbled on. The land acquired for the project was 1, 264, 78 hectares and N1, 410, 178, 599.59 earmarked as compensation for 3,868  land owners, who got N1, 234, 747, 076, 000 paid as compensation; N697, 015, 863 is yet to be paid to land owners. The document said: “Anyim was the SGF and the coordinator of the Centenary City Project, which was meant to be privately owned. Any interested investor was asked to pay $5million equity.”

    There is no question that this is another failed government project. Questions about how and why it failed demand answers. With things the way they are, this project looks like another case of political corruption.

  • Centenary City land owners to stage protest

    Land owners on which the Centenary City is being developed will tomorrow, at 11am, stage a protest at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

    The protest, which will be against the alleged land fraud in which the former Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Pius Anyim, was accused of being involved in, will begin at the FCDA and proceed to the National Assembly.

    Executive Chairman, Century 21 Real Estate Investment Trust Limited, Sir F.M. Osuji, stated in a statement that the demonstration will be “a peaceful protest by the real land owners”.

  • ‘We can’t revoke Centenary City project’

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has declared that it cannot grant the request by the promoters of the Centenary City project to revoke the development agreement between the Centenary City Plc and the administration.

    The request is untenable and unrealistic, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello said.

    He made the point at the National Assembly during the public hearing on the Centenary project by the Senate Committee on the FCT.

    According to a statement issued by his Senior Assistant on Media, Abubakar Sani, Bello revealed that the Centenary City Plc  wrote the FCT Administration requesting for the revocation of a valid development agreement which was duly executed by the two parties as a pre-condition to access the over 1,200 hectares of land for the development of the city.

    He said, “The Centenary City Plc is seeking to operate a parallel authority within the FCT. If not, how do you explain a situation where by the company is asking for the cancelation of the agreement between us and them only to enforce a third party agreement signed between them and another government agency?”

    He reiterated that the project was a unique and well conceived idea which the administration is proud to be part of, insisting however, that the agreement clearly spelt out the obligations of each party in the project.

    The minister said the arrangement which the company is trying to implement was reached between it and the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) which was signed after the company had earlier entered into a pact with the FCT Administration which qualified it to embark on the project.

    He said the free trade zone status which the company is seeking to enforce did form part of the agreement between it and the FCT Administration.

    Malam Bello therefore insisted that the administration cannot allow another set of laws to regulate any part of the territory, stressing that the matter has been forwarded to the office the Attorney General of the Federation for legal advice on whether it is proper to have an entity within the Federal Capital Territory operating outside the the FCTA laws.

    He said while the administration remains committed to genuine efforts by investors to join hands in the development of the FCT, there is need for all the areas which are not agreeable to the FCT Administration to be further discussed so that the project can continue without any hitches.

    “It can be clearly seen that implementing the NEPZA agreement in the Centenary City would be tantamount to having two governments in one city,” the minister said.

    The chairman of the committee Senator Dino Melaye told the gathering that the meeting was called in order to identify the challenges that have hindered the smooth implementation of the Centenary city project.

    He said the project which was conceived as a land mark for the attainment of Nigeria’s one hundred years as a nation would be of immense benefit to the country which the Senate as an institution would all that is necessary to make sure that it is realised.

     

  • Indigenes urge Buhari to set up committee on Centenary City

    TO resolve the problems associated with the compensation and resettlement of affected communities in the Abuja Centenary City Project, youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the auspices of Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO) have called on the Federal Government to immediately set up a Committee to address the issue.

    The youth said while they remain peace-loving people and believe in the sincerity and deep commitment of the present administration to protect their rights and restore their benefits, they may have no option but to engage in violence to press for their rights as guaranteed, if the right thing is not done.

    President of the indigenous youth organisation, Commandant Isaac David, who spok at a briefing, said  they were aware that in other parts of the country, indigenes had resorted to the use of violence and disruption of state activities to press for their rights.

    David, who said the Committee would ensure a peaceful process during the execution of the Centenary City Project, suggested that the Committee members should include the Presidency, Centenary City Management, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Security Services, traditional rulers, area councils, indigenous NGOs, youth representatives and members of the National Assembly.

    “We know our rights as provided for in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and we cannot continue to watch while our rights are fragrantly abused even by individuals such as Centenary City Plc. It can be seen that the management of Centenary City Plc has been very economical with the truth.

    “We demand that the Management of Centenary City give a breakdown of the expenditure of the N1.237billion and the N65million they [were allegedly] paid as compensation to the original inhabitants. This has become worrisome as the traditional rulers, the President of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation and other stakeholders in the affected communities are been threatened that they connived with the Management of Centenary City to divert money meant for them.

    “We need explanation on these issues and especially what happened to the land carved out of the permanent site of the University of Abuja for the resettlement of the indigenes who had infrastructure in their land. Who are the new allotees of the land? The Management of Centenary City should stop engaging in rhetoric and provide the facts so that the issues will be resolved in a transparent and accountable manner,” he said.

    They further said that arising from this, they sincerely advise the Centenary City Plc to stop forthwith further activities in the affected communities located in the Kuje and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) until the issues concerning the compensation and resettlement are fully resolved.

    “We want to thank the Government for the opportunity given to us to present our perspective on the programme of the Centenary City as it affects the original inhabitants of the FCT.

    “On Friday, August 28, 2015, the Management of the Centenary City Plc met with the President to address the controversies, alleged corruption, incongruities and negative media reports on the activities of the Centenary City Plc in the execution of the Centenary City Programme.

    “While we acknowledge the enormous benefits the Centenary City will bring to the country, we wish to express our appreciation to the Government for expressing their concern for the recognition of the rights of the original inhabitants,” he said.

  • Buhari advised to probe Centenary City project

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been advised to probe the multi-billion dollar Centenary City project.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice- Chairman, (Southsouth), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, had accused the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, of unilaterally acquiring the Centenary City project with the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road, Abuja, project.

    The National Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Activist Groups, led by the Northern Patriotic Front (NPF), Comrade Ali Abacha, at a news conference in Abuja, faulted the comments credited to Dr. Ojougboh.

    He said: “The allegation is not only misleading, but is aimed at negating the good intentions of the project. More so, Dr. Ojuigboh’s attempt at disparaging the character and personality of the ex-SGF is unacceptable. We declare such utterances emanating from  Ojuigboh as baseless, directionless and a desperate man’s reckless depicting of acrimony.

    “The Federal Government should look into the project, but should not kill it.”

    The statement, which was read by NPF’s Secretary, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isa, said: “Dr. Ojuignoh has unwittingly allowed his personal crises into the public domain to expose himself as a confused man, who does not know the next point from his current position.

    “As against his claims of vindictive removal from his position as the former chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Export Processing Authority (NEPZA), by the former SGF, Dr. Ojougboh was relieved of his position on account of gross inefficiency. What has he done as the national vice chairman of the party to forestall this dangerous trend and hold out on his duties and responsibilities as the party’s reference point in that zone? Rather, he has created the picture of a man busy chasing rats while his house is on fire.”

  • N360tr to be spent on centenary city

    N360tr to be spent on centenary city

    It has been confirmed that the Abuja Centenary City will cost more than N360 trillion to build.

    The city which is expected to be completed in 60 months will comprise five five-star hotels, apartment units, the best convention centre in Africa, apartment units and lots of other commercial structures which are hoped to provide more than 250,000 jobs.

    The city will also be a unique landmark for the country to mark the country’s unity and 100 years of amalgamation.

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Sen Bala Mohammed made the disclosure during the week at the signing agreement on the development of the centenary city, between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Centenary City Plc.

    Mohammed who handed over the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) to the private developers assured that the Original inhabitants are being duly compensated and will be relocated.

    His words, “The land is going to be subjected to due diligence and nobody will be short-changed, it will be developed in a manner that will provide employment that will accelerate the development of the Federal Capital City (FCC) and the territory as per the concept of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) act.

    “FCDA will be part of the project to ensure that everything conforms to the Abuja master plan.

    “The portion of 1064 hectares is being seeded as a concession to the centenary PLC. The FCT is taking a small portion of equity of 5%, where our own premium and development control charges are going to be put as part of the equity contribution.

    “This is not a project that has the problem of resettlement and compensation, when we started , we insisted that enumeration must be carried out, all with the economic trees and other compensation must be paid and the Centenary city PLC have paid fully a 100% into our account and we are doing the enumeration and payment as per the entitlement of all the people of the Centenary land, what is outstanding, is maybe the houses, that will be subjected to more diligence and enumeration and they have the resources to pay them, there is no any agitation or fear expressed by the settlers or people of these area.”

    He also said, “Because they are very happy that for the first time, before a project is completed or done, their own resettlement, compensation and entitlements are being settled and we discuss with them in a bottle up approach in the way and manner that er are also doing the land swap but certainly, there are apprehensions because formerly, FCT have been developing without taking into cognisance the needs of the original inhabitants.