FCT Minister seeks alternative sources of funding to complete Millennium Tower, Cultural Centre

A couple of weeks after reopening the Millennium Park for public use, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, paid an inspection visit to Nigerian Cultural Centre, National Square and Millennium Tower.

The minister was accompanied by his Information and Culture counterpart, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to inspect, review and seek other sources of funding for the national project.

Malam Bello, said his administration inherited a lot of capital projects in the city, and a lot of resources and time was spent on executing the projects, but the paucity of funds has been stalling the completion of the projects. He said most of the projects are being done in phases in order of priority.

He said: “We are doing that in a phased manner. We started by tackling the road network, then the rail system and now, we are tackling water.

“To be frank with you, we don’t have enough resources now to be able to complete this project. That’s how it is when you complete what you can within available resources.

“So we are here with the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, to see how we can discuss alternative sources of funding it,” he stated.

ALSO READ FROM  NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

• Kaduna Train Attack: How Leader Of Terrorists Deceived Us To Release His Wife, Kids —Presidency
  
• 48 Visa On Arrival, E-Visa And Visa Free Countries You Can Travel To As A Nigerian

Lai Mohammed, while soliciting private-sector collaboration for the execution of the project, disclosed that only $400 million was required for its completion, even as he praised Nigeria’s past leaders for envisioning such a monument for the country.

This “audacious national monument, with the facilities, is going to generate a lot of revenue for whoever has the courage to partner with us,” he assured.

Construction of Millennium Tower began in 2005, along with the Nigerian National Square, Cultural Centre and a connecting Tunnel made up of a single unit of the expensive National Complex.

The Abuja Master Plan, under its urban development strategy for the Central Area, provides for the Three Arms Zone, Ministries Zone, the Cultural Spine, as well as the Central Business District.

The Cultural Spine, which houses the Tower and the Centre, stretches between Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, PTDF building on one side, and Shoprite, running through the National Mosque, National Library, the National Square, National Museum and the National Ecumenical Centre, ending up in a Loop around the NTA, FCTA Secretariat and the Murtala Mohammed Foundation.

The Tower, which is also referred to as “lighthouse tower”, measuring 170 metres high or 560 feet long, dominates the National Square, seemingly springing out of a 1100-capacity underground car park. It literally grows from the ground, like a flower surrounded by transparent wings upon which is fastened a luminous Coat of Arms crowned with white and green rays that are visible at all times.

Just before the top of the tower is installed an observation deck and a revolving restaurant, in which people can enjoy their meals while having a panoramic view of the entire city. The tower itself is made up of three giant cylindrical concrete pillars of different heights around which are wrapped transparent stainless steel wings that gradually open outwards and upward like a funnel.

Other aspects of the project include the construction of a 7-storey edifice which will house the National Museum at various levels, the National Theatre, as well a five-star model hotel.

Consultations Ongoing Between Tinubu, Amaechi, Lawan, Others — APC National Vice Chairman

FCT Minister seeks alternative sources of funding to complete Millennium Tower, Cultural Centre

Health Benefits Of Unripe Plantain

FCT Minister seeks alternative sources of funding to complete Millennium Tower, Cultural Centre