The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has alleged significant financial discrepancies in the management of the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.
According to Wike, the previous operator of the ICC was remitting N50m annually to the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) despite generating over N300m monthly from the facility.
Speaking during a media briefing with select journalists at his Abuja residence on Monday, Wike frowned on the systemic neglect and poor maintenance that had plagued the national edifice for decades.
According to the minister, the ICC had remained untouched since its construction in 1991 under the Ibrahim Babangida administration, and had become an “eyesore” by the time President Bola Tinubu visited the venue for the ECOWAS Parliament event last year.
Wike said, “Remember, this International Conference Centre was built in 1991 by the IBB administration. Since 1991, nobody has touched that thing. When Mr. President came to inaugurate the ECOWAS Parliament sometime last year… It was an eyesore. It was horrible. And Mr. President couldn’t believe it. He said, ‘This is unacceptable, Mr. Minister, I don’t want to see this again.’”
He continued, “That’s why I say leadership is key. And today, by the grace of God, we have achieved it. If you take a ride and go to that place, you yourself will feel happy.”
The minister disclosed that the facility had been previously leased to a serving senator, who mismanaged it, failed to maintain it, and shortchanged the government.
“You see, they gave it out to one senator. Everything in Nigeria politicians would be involved. The man ran the place down. He was paying Abuja Investment Company Limited about N50m a year. Meanwhile, in a month, they make nothing less than N300 million,” Wike revealed.
“You don’t maintain the place. You ran it down. And the government comes and says, look, we can’t take this. Then the person goes, oh, because I’m from so-so place. I said, no, no, no, that’s rubbish,” the minister said.
In a bid to revamp and sustain the ICC, Wike announced that a new maintenance agreement was being finalized with Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd, a construction company known for its high-quality delivery.
“We’re signing an agreement with Julius Berger for the maintenance… How many years? That’s not the issue. What’s important is how we want to sustain that place,” he said.
The minister explained that although AICL would continue to supervise the facility, the structure of payments and accountability would be strengthened.
He said, “There will be a dedicated account. Where everybody who wants to use that International Conference Centre will pay an amount of money as to be charged. Every month, we look into that account. And that is why I said it will be under my direct supervision.”
The minister who was unequivocal that the era of government officials using the facility for free had ended said, “Every ministry who wants to use that will pay. There’s nothing like we are government agencies. If you’re a government agency, who will maintain the place?. If the Minister of Transportation, or the Minister of Interior wants to use it, let’s say, It is N10,000. It’s available on Tuesday or Thursday. It’s not available on Friday. We must stop this attitude of the government — everything is free, free, free.”
Wike stated that he would resist attempts to use political patronage to run down the facility.
He said, “People bring sentiments. I will tell the president, look, this is one project that will cause me problems… Because I’m not going to accept free [service]. No. I will not.
“Nobody should bring that sentiment. I’ll say, look, he’s my supporter, let him run that place. Nobody should do that.”
He dismissed assumptions that the ICC operations were profit-driven, saying, “Why are you interested? We are not here for profit making. We are here to maintain it…We are not businessmen. It’s just for sustainability.”
Wike had said the refurbished International Conference Centre would be the first project to be inaugurated by President Tinubu as part of activities marking his second year in office.
“This is one project the president will inaugurate as part of his second anniversary. And we’re making sure it is something the country will be proud of.”
While addressing concerns about worker motivation within the FCT administration, Wike defended his stance, and stressed that salaries were paid on time and that training must be relevant and not an avenue to misuse public funds.
He said, “Are they owing them salaries? What is their happiness? You have been paid your salary all the time and on time.
“You go for training by relevance. I don’t approve money just because somebody says you want to go for land administration in the United States. How can I approve that for you?”
The Minister stressed the importance of spending on infrastructure and maintenance over wasteful or unjustifiable expenses.
“Even if I find that in the budget, I wouldn’t approve it. In fact, I will write the assembly to channel the money for a tangible thing. A tangible thing that will benefit society. Not just you,” he vowed.
