Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that completing the long-abandoned Millennium Tower in Abuja would now cost between ₦300 billion and ₦400 billion, prompting him to urge President Bola Tinubu to take over the project as a national priority.

Speaking on Thursday during an inspection of ongoing road and infrastructure projects across the FCT, Wike said the enormous financial requirement is far beyond what the Federal Capital Territory Administration can accommodate without sacrificing other critical development projects.

He explained that he had appealed to President Tinubu to reconsider the Millennium Tower as a national project and provide the necessary funding, describing it as a potential tourism asset that should not be left solely to the FCT Administration.

According to the Minister, committing such a huge amount to one project would cripple the Territory’s finances and force the Government to halt several other essential infrastructure projects across Abuja.

Responding to questions about the delayed landmark project, Wike stressed that the FCT must prioritise its limited resources wisely.

“Well, you know that’s a national project. And I believe that it’s one project that Government should reconsider. It should be a tourist centre project. The capital involved is too huge for the FCT to handle as a single project,” he said.

Wike recalled that the Millennium Tower contract was originally awarded during the administration of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

He noted that years of abandonment, changing economic realities and project delays have dramatically increased the cost of completing the iconic structure.

“We have discussed with the contractor. Remember that the project was awarded under Obasanjo’s regime.

“As I speak to you, it’s not less than 300 to 400 billion Naira that the contractor is talking about. And if you look at it, how do we carry out such a project? It means that every other project in Abuja we will have to abandon. But we are still talking to the President that he should reconsider it as a national project. So, that’s where we are,” Wike said.

Despite the setback surrounding the Millennium Tower, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects across the FCT, commending major contractors for the quality and pace of work.

Highlighting the dualisation of the Airport Road to Kuje, Wike recalled that when the current administration assumed office in August 2023, the project had already been awarded but the contractor, Arab Contractors, was not on site.

“Remember, when we came on board in August 2023, when we went to visit or have a stakeholders’ meeting in Kuje, that was when we found out that the airport road to Kuje was awarded, but the contractor was not on site.

“And we came to know that it was Arab Contractors. And I agreed that they would complete that project as part of the first-year anniversary of this administration. You can agree with me that it’s one of the best-quality roads you can talk about in Abuja,” he said.

Addressing concerns over payments to contractors, Wike assured that the FCT Administration would continue meeting its obligations, saying the trust built with contractors has kept projects moving even when payments are delayed.

“Look at the quality of work. And the contractor, the MD who is here, has said to us that they will do their own part when we also do our own part. By the grace of God, he said we’ll hand over this project to Mr. President in December. It is everybody playing their own role, and they have never disappointed us. So, I believe in Arab Contractors.”

He added, “That trust is there between us and these companies, and I have confidence in them. I can tell you I’m highly elated with the level of work, the level of construction, and the quality that we have seen. Every right-thinking person in this country, in this city, will agree that indeed the Tinubu administration has transformed Abuja into a world-class city.”

Wike also reassured residents that his administration remains committed to completing all ongoing projects, insisting that no project initiated under the current Government would be abandoned.

“Is there any project we have started and we have abandoned? Look at even the projects that were awarded since 2010. We have started to see that all are completed, and the ones that this administration awarded will also be completed.

“I don’t want to be pessimistic; I’m very optimistic that all the roads that we have gone for inspection, after the commissioning and flag-off, will also be done as far as we are concerned, latest by the end of this year,” the Minister said.