Jonathan, others unveil N3tr Centenary City (PHOTOS)

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday led other Nigerian leaders, including General Abdulsalami Abubakar, to unveil the nation’s Centenary City which would gulp N2.976 trillion ($18.6 billion).

Jonathan, who led other top government functionaries, business entrepreneurs and members of the diplomatic corps to unveil the project, said the city would remain an historical landmark for the remembrance of the nation’s 100 years celebration.

Speaking at the site of the project on Airport Road, he assured that when completed, it would boast of world class facilities.Continue....

L-R: Vice President Namadi  Sambo; PDP National Chairman Alh Adamu  Muazu;  Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn;  President Goodluck Jonathan  and the Executive Director of Eagle Hills Mohammed  Abbar,  viewing the Prototype of the Centinary City at the ground breaking ceremony   in Abuja…yesterday.  Photo: Anayo Opara

 Photo: Anayo Opara

He said the foundation of a presidential archive/library to be built there would have the capacity of up to 50 floors and would document all the historical events in the nation’s life and all administrations.

He described the project, designed to cover 1,200 hectares of land, as a city of hope, elegance and symbol of the nation’s unity.

He assured that it would be a modern city with modern architectural creativity, noting that the project is part of his administration’s drive for 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,” he said.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, cautioned that the centenary city is not a housing estate, but economic project.

 He said the aspects of residential area would complement the business concerns, explaining that a Dubai firm and Eagles Hills Properties had been engaged to develop the city at no cost to the government.

The project is being financed by private sector, with the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund Authorities signing an agreement with the Dubai firm to co-invest.

On the occasion, former head of state, Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar (rtd), also canvassed for peace throughout the country, noting that it was only when there is peaceful environment that the objectives of the project could be realised.

 Gen. Abubakar, who is the Chairman of the Centenary City Plc, said: “It is only when there is peace that the project can be successful. It is the duty of every one of us to make sure that we maintain peace in the county”.

The sum of N2.976 trillion has been mopped up to develop the 1,200 hectares of land earlier earmarked by the FCT Administration for the purpose.

A total of N1.2 billion, being 100 percent compensation, has also been paid for economic trees of the original inhabitants as well as structures of some non natives situated in the area.