The Senate has set up a seven-member ad-hoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the delay in the completion of the $18.5 billion Abuja Centenary Economic City project 10 years after commencement.The committee was set up following a motion sponsored by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Ashiru Yisa, titled, ‘Urgent need to revive and complete the stalled Centenary City Project, to realise its economic and development potential’.
Yisa, in his lead debate, urged colleagues to note that the Abuja Centenary Economic City project commenced in 2014 through a public private partnership to develop a modern city in the mood of Dubai, to commemorate 100 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation.
The committee was tasked to review the original public private partnership agreement and recommend amendments, if necessary, to facilitate smooth and expeditious completion of the project within a defined timeframe.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to prioritise the revival of the Centenary City project by providing appropriate support, resolving regulatory issues and addressing any other impediments, given its beneficial potential to the economy and people of Nigeria after 10 years of stalled progress.