The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has intensified efforts towards completion of the multi-billion Millennium Tower in the nation’s capital.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who led members of the Nigeria India Business Council on a tour of projects, on Tuesday in Abuja, said government resolved to market the tower to foreign investors to ensure its completion.
” You will recall that this is my second visit here in less than two weeks.
”I was here with the Director-General of National Commission for Museums and Monuments with my colleague, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Bello.
” And the intention is always to see that how can we market this National asset and ensure it is completed and invite investors from both within and outside the country.
” And I want to say that it is yielding fruits, because after the last visit, we had inquiries from some serious investors.
”This time around, I am here with the members of the Nigeria- India Business Council who have been in Nigeria for the last four days.
” They been here to look at what they can invest in the area of power, infrastructure, medicine and the like.”
The minister also said the visitors came with their investors from the creative and film industry to see if this asset can of help to them.
” And I think from what we have discussed, we see a lot of encouragement coming from them.
”Because of the things that are unique here are the location and the availability of infrastructure, you don’t have to start building afresh,” he added.
The minister disclosed that members of the council have shown interest in the studios and film cruise in tower.
He, however, assured that government would continue to attract investors to help the country finish the iconic edifice.
” In terms of facilities and space when this centre is completed, we have museums, we have event centres, conference centres and we are talking about building studios and sound stages.
” So, if completed, it is going to facilitate the industry and of course, if we succeed in getting a film school, it will also help in building the capacity of our talented youths,” he added.
On his part, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, said that the tower was not only a tourism hub of the city, but the nation in general.
Represented by the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr Shehu Hadi , Bello said, ” if completed, the tower would boost the revenue profile of the FCT.
” As you can see, this is supposed to be like a tourism hub of the city and not only for the city but for the nation.
” In an edifice were you are going to have a five star Hotel and an Auditorium with the capacity of about 1,200 and we have a parking a lot we are standing over.
READ ALSO:https://brandeconomy.com.ng/fg-seeks-stakeholders-support-on-weights-and-measures/
” We have other facilities like shops and offices. All these are things that can be lease to draw a lot of revenue for the FCT and encourage movement of people to Abuja from all works of life.”
The minister commended Mohammed for showing determination to ensure the completion of the projects.
Also, one of the members of the council, Aasia Abbas, expressed their readiness to invest time, resource and all the talents they have in promoting creative and film industry in the country.
” We see a big future for the Nigerian film industry. So much content, there are so many musician and artists from Nigeria going to America recording songs, why can’t they record it here?
” So, the talent is there, all you need is the good studio and we are ready to harness the talents here and to make Nigeria a global platform.
” And we can have people and students from all over Africa coming here studying, learning, developing and producing content not just for Africa but all over the world,” she said.
(NAN)
