After more than a decade of delays, the Abuja Centenary City project has been revived with a landmark N750 billion infrastructure contract awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Centenary City Plc Managing Director Ike Odenigwe confirmed that the construction giant will handle phase one of the project, covering a 4.3 kilometre access road and infrastructure for three residential districts — Grove Residences, Safari Park Residences and Ridge Villas.
He said Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, which prepared the original master plan in 2014, will provide detailed engineering designs.
The ambitious project, launched under former President Goodluck Jonathan to commemorate Nigeria’s centenary, had stalled due to litigation, revoked land titles and policy inconsistencies. Odenigwe said those hurdles have now been cleared with renewed government backing.
Highlights of the project include Africa’s tallest building, an entertainment park for Nollywood, and 13 branded international hotels. About 150 hectares have been earmarked for tourism and entertainment development.
Odenigwe said the initiative will generate 50,000 jobs during construction and 250,000 jobs upon completion. He confirmed that the Federal Government, through Abuja Investments Company Limited, holds five per cent equity in the public-private partnership.
So far, 280 houses have been built for original inhabitants of Gude district under a resettlement scheme, with 857 planned in total.
“The Tinubu administration has resolved the issue of policy inconsistency,” Odenigwe declared. “This government understands Nigeria’s infrastructural gap and the urgent need for foreign direct investment.”
