President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday performed the ground-breaking and unveiling of the Abuja Centenary City Project.
Jonathan in his remarks described the project that was designed to cover 1,200 hectares of land as a city of hope and elegant as well as a symbol of the nation’s unity.
He said no other sign could demonstrate the symbol of his administration’s determination for excellence than the city which he said promises a unique and global standard in real estate project.
President said that when completed, the project would turn out to be a modern city where modern beauty will merge with architectural creativity.He said his government’s determination was to make it 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 bore holes and where everybody will be buying generators,” he said.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, who is driving the project stated that the city is not a housing project but strictly an economic project.
Anyim said the residential area that would be provided would only complement the business concerns.He disclosed that a Dubai firm, Eagles Hills Properties, would develop the city at no cost to the government.
He said the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund Authorities had signed an agreement with to co-invest with the firm.
The former military Head of State, Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar (retd.), appealed to Nigerians to give peace a chance.
He stated that the cost of the economic project situated at Airport Road meant to commemorate the 100 years of the nation’s amalgamation was put at N2.976tr ($18.6 bn).
Abubakar who is the chairman of the Centenary City Plc observed that it is only when peace reigns in all parts of the country that the project can be successful.
“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,” he said.
