On Wednesday, Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, said that the renovation of the Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) would cost Nigeria N39 billion.
Wike told journalists in Abuja that the project is necessary for Nigeria’s global reputation and nation pride.
He also said that the centre is 70 to 80 per cent ready and would be completed ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s second-year inauguration in May.
Wike claimed the renovation was carried out with the president’s approval by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The conference centre, which has many conference rooms and outdoor spaces, was constructed by Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) in 1991.
“I am pleased with what is happening. Julius Berger has promised us that they will complete it. The total cost is 39 billion naira, not 39 million naira,” Wike said.
“Furthermore, all the required materials are available. When discussing the percentage of work progress, it is essential to consider the work completed and the on-site materials. I can confidently say that work is 70 to 80 per cent complete, and they have assured us they will finish and hand it over by May.
“For everyone’s satisfaction, coming from a country like this, we cannot discuss having a befitting conference centre. What is the essence of Nigeria, the largest nation? Are we merely large in name? We travel globally and observe standards; why should our own be different?”
The cost of the renovation has stirred reactions from Nigerians, who have complained about the increasing cost of governance.
Emma Ikumeh asked how much the ICC was generating for such an expensive project. “How much does the ICC generate that Wike is spending N39 billion to renovate it? I’m tired of the waste in this government. This is just like when he spent N21 billion on the Vice President’s residence, and to date, the VP hasn’t moved in. The level of waste in this government is frustrating,” he wrote.
Imonokha Enakhena also stated that the government continues to be wasteful despite the poverty ravaging Nigeria.
“While a well-functioning ICC may have long-term economic benefits, spending N39 billion on its renovation during a poverty crisis is both wasteful and tone-deaf. The government should prioritise projects that directly impact millions of struggling Nigerians rather than elite-driven vanity projects,” Enakhena said.
This same amount, N39 billion, can pay over 500,000 corps members engaged in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) across the country under the new minimum wage.
This N39 billion, when divided by N77,000, the new minimum wage, will pay 506,493 corp members a month’s allowance.
In September, Tinubu approved the payment of N77,000 as the new minimum wage for corps members. It claimed it would take off in July 2024, but more than six months later, corps members still earn N33,000.
This is despite several calls by the corps members and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) asking for the implementation of the new wage.
On March 5, FIJ reported how the federal government continued to get away with the non-payment of corps members’ new allowances. Some of these corps members have also resorted to taking loans to augment the poor allowance from FG.
In June, FIJ reported how the government had spent N21 billion for the renovation and completion of the vice president’s residence which was barely utilised. This residence had been completed before Kashim Shettima assumed office in May 2023.
