“Abuja is now world-class, and we are proud of what we’ve achieved,” declared Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, during an inspection of the newly renovated International Conference Centre (ICC) on Friday in Abuja.
Wike, who returned recently from a high-level visit to China aimed at boosting water supply for Abuja’s satellite towns, used the occasion to showcase the transformation taking place under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I’d like to start by commending Julius Berger for the excellent work done at the International Conference Centre,” Wike said. “I was thrilled to see the quality of the job, and I believe it’s a testament to what Abuja deserves. This is a prime example of effective leadership.”
The ICC, built in 1991, had suffered decades of neglect until President Tinubu ordered a complete overhaul last year. Wike said the facility was in such a poor state that it no longer reflected the image of Nigeria’s capital.
“When Mr. President inaugurated the Equal Rights Parliament late last year, the state of the ICC was appalling. No responsible leader would allow such a facility to be called an International Conference Centre,” Wike said. “I told Mr. President we had to act fast, and today, the result is clear Abuja has taken its place on the global map.”
The Minister disclosed that the ICC renovation is the first of several key projects earmarked for presidential inauguration. He reaffirmed his confidence in Julius Berger to deliver future assignments on time and with precision.
“When the N5 project was flagged off in October or November last year, I asked Julius Berger to complete the first phase within a reasonable timeframe. I’ve been in close contact with their managing director and project manager, and I am confident in their ability to deliver,” he said.
Wike acknowledged that while Julius Berger’s services may be costly, the quality of work justifies the investment. “As we say in my local parlance, ‘Sweep, waste, wheat, my money, kill them.’ In other words, if you want it done right, you must be ready to pay for quality,” he added.
He also shared insights from his recent trip to China, describing it as a critical step toward solving the long-standing water supply issues in the FCT’s satellite towns.
“The visit was a follow-up to our earlier discussions. We’re working to ensure that potable water reaches all corners of the FCT, especially in underserved communities. The discussions in China were fruitful, and we’re on track,” Wike stated.
He concluded by emphasizing that infrastructure renewal, clean water, and international-standard facilities are not luxuries, but necessities for a growing capital.
“This is about giving Abuja what it truly deserves a capital that works for everyone and stands proudly among the world’s best,” he said.
