PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last general elections, Peter Obi, has described the renovation of the International Conference Center (ICC) by the President Bola Tinubu administration, through the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration as misplacement of priorities.
Recall that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, took charge of the renovation at the cost of N35billion and on completion renamed it after Tinubu.
However, Obi, speaking on Wednesday, June 11, in Abuja, while announcing the facilitation of three projects to the tune of over N6million and some computers to the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, criticised the administration for allegedly favouring the rich while the poor die in droves.
At the inauguration of the renovated centre on Tuesday, June 10, attended by key government officials, including Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and other top officials, Wike justified the decision to rename the centre after Tinubu, attributing the successful renovation to the President’s leadership.
According to him: “It is important for the public to know and understand why this is called Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. This conference centre was built in 1991 under the military government.
“Since that time, nothing has happened to this Centre. Last year, July/August, you (Tinubu) came here to inaugurate the ECOWAS Parliament. It is an embarrassment for a country to still have this as an international conference centre then, and you said, ‘how can we have this?’ That shows leadership.
“And you (Tinubu) said next time you want to come here, you want to see a different international conference. Within eight months, Mr. President, this is what we have.
“And I agree that without your leadership, it wouldn’t have been possible. You’re not the only President who has come here; so many Presidents have come here, but nobody has said this is what Nigeria needs.
“Today, this is the Bola Ahmed International Conference Centre, which can match any other international conference centre.”
The centre was constructed in 1991 by the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, but it had suffered neglect and underutilisation.
When in March this year, Wike’s disclosure that the renovation would cost N39 billion attracted criticism from many Nigerians at a time they were grappling with economic hardship and inflation.
But the minister, at a media briefing in Abuja, claimed the the President approved the funds and the project was essential for Nigeria’s image, adding: “…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?”
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