FCT Minister explains delay in Millennium Tower project

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained why the long-abandoned Abuja Millennium Tower project remains uncompleted, noting that the required funding, currently estimated at over ₦400 billion, is too massive to be executed within the FCT’s statutory budget alone.

Speaking with journalists after an inspection tour of key infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday, Wike disclosed that discussions are ongoing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to classify and fund the iconic complex as a strategic national project and tourist center.

“That is a national project. I believe it is one project that the government should reconsider as a tourist center project. The capital involved is too huge for the FCT’s statutory budget. As I speak to you, the contractor is talking about not less than ₦400 billion. If we attempt to carry out such a project alone, every other project in Abuja will be abandoned. But we are discussing with the President to consider it as a national project”, Wike stated.

During the inspection, the Minister visited several critical infrastructure projects designed to ease traffic congestion and boost economic activity within the nation’s capital.

The visited sites were: the extension of Collector Road CO1 in the Institution and Research District, which spans from Nile University to Ring Road III alongside an extension from Baze University Junction, designed to integrate premier academic, legal, and research institutions into the wider city road networks and the Arterial Road N1 project.

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The Minister noted that providing such critical infrastructure reflects the administration’s determination to elevate Abuja into a truly world-class capital city and expressed satisfaction with the pace and standard of work at the collector Road CO1.

Also providing updates on the Arterial Road N1 project, stretching from Wuye District to Ring Road II, being executed by Arab Contractors, Barr. Wike assured residents that both the FCTA and its construction partners were working in complete synergy to ensure the formal handover of the completed project by December.

The Minister pointed out that project delivery has remained on track because major contractors were confident in the government’s financial commitments and expressed unshakeable optimism that all inspected road projects scheduled for completion will be fully delivered and handed over by the end of the year.

He said, “For me, it’s the confidence in us by the contractors”, Wike stated.

“Even if we have not fully met our obligation at any point, they still go ahead knowing fully well that we will fulfill our part. That trust is there, and I am highly elated with the level of work”.

While emphasizing that the FCTA is actively completing legacy projects awarded as far back as 2010 and simultaneously driving forward new developments initiated under President Tinubu’s tenure, the Minister urged residents to remain patient and called on the media to serve as truth ambassadors by reporting the visible transformation occurring across the territory.