President Jonathan Unveils 1200 Hectares Centenary City in Abuja; Says the Project Will Complement Transformation Agenda

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, June 25th, 2014

Oyewale Oyelola

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday unveiled 1200 hectares, to site Centenary City in Abuja, saying the project was in line with the transformation agenda of his administration.

President Jonathan who was accompanied by Ethiopia Premier Minister, some governors and Ministers at the launch of the project located along Airport road promised that his administration would continue to embark on project that would improve the standard of living of Nigerians, adding that his administration’s determination was to make it (Centenary city) a sustainable and viable economic project.

“We don’t want to build a city where everybody will have maiguard (security guards). We don’t want a city where everybody will dig their boreholes and where everybody will be buying generators,” the President noted.

In his remark at the ceremony, Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed said the project would complement the transformation agenda of the present administration, in compliance with Abuja Master Plan.

Senator Mohammed stated the project is Public Private Sector initiative. “Centenary City project major investor is the Eagle Hills Property from United Arab Emirate who will build the city at no cost for federal government, while Sovereign Wealth Fund Investment and Julius Berger Nigeria PLC would be co-investors”.

The Chairman of Centenary City, General Abdulsalam Abubakar (retd) disclosed that his company has made arrangement for resettlement of original land owners. He thanked President Jonathan for approval of Free Trade Zone for centenary city, adding that the project would generate more than 50,000jobs.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim said President promised to build the city in February to commemorate the 100 years of the nation’s amalgamation.

African Examiner learnt the project will cost ($18.6bn) – N2.976tn