By Philip Yatai
President Bola Tinubu has described the Abuja City Walk, a 250-hectare mixed-use urban mega project as “a window to a multi-billion-dollar future” for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the remarks while unveiling the city walk’s Sales Office and Experience Centre in Abuja on Thursday.
He recalled that on assumption into office, his administration promised to make the nation’s capital a true global beacon of governance, commerce and modern living.
“The Abuja City Walk is one of the most ambitious private-sector investment projects in the history of our great nation.
“Spanning several hectares of land in Lugbe, along the Abuja Airport Expressway corridor, this project will serve as Nigeria’s foremost gateway to the world.
“While it draws world-class inspiration from globally acclaimed models like the Dubai City Walk, it has been meticulously customised by our partners, pushing the boundaries of architectural and engineering possibilities in Africa,” he said.
The president said that the magnificent project, under a Public-Private Partnership between the FCT and private developers, underscored the conviction that sustainable national development could not be carried out by government alone.
He said that by granting the corridor a free trade zone status, his administration had eliminated trade friction and laid down a fertile environment for regional commerce, medical tourism, premium retail and high-end hospitality.
He reassured both domestic and international investors that Nigeria is open for business, and their investments are safe.
“Our legal, physical and financial frameworks are continuously being optimised to protect capital, guarantee returns and eliminate unnecessary administrative bottlenecks,” he said.
Tinubu commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for his dogged leadership and unwavering focus on execution of impactful projects across the territory.
He pointed out that for 20 years, the Abuja Technology Village corridor lay dormant, adding that through aggressive land administration reforms and the eradication of bureaucratic inertia, it is being transformed into a bustling construction hub.
He added that “beyond the luxury residences, five-star hotels and glittering office towers, the ultimate measurement of success for the Abuja City Walk is its human impact. This project is a massive economic engine.
“During its construction phases and full operations, it is expected to generate tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs for our vibrant, youthful population, artisans, engineers and creative minds.
“It will stimulate localised supply chains, from cement manufacturing to digital tech services, reinvigorating the economy of the entire FCT and surrounding states.”
In his remarks, Wike said that the corridor was allocated for the development of the Abuja City Walk after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with delivery timelines.
He disclosed that one of the timelines was the delivery of the Sales and Experience Centre to celebrate Tinubu’s third year in office.
To address the problem of protocol, the minister said he chaired the project development committee with critical government officials as members, adding that the FCT Administration has given all the approvals, including the construction of road networks.
He pointed out that the government’s role is to provide conducive environment for investors “and I thank God, FCTA has performed its own obligation.
“On our own part, we have fulfilled our own obligation, and I want to say to our development partners that we are willing to continue to support you, but let’s keep to the timelines.
“We also agreed in the MoU that in the next one year, you’ll achieve certain milestones. If that is not achieved, we’ll take back our land.”
Earlier, Dr Kassim Gidado, the Executive Director, Link Developments, the Master Developer of the Abuja City Walk, said that the goal was to create a “city within a city”.
Gidado said that the project was inspired by the Dubai City Walk but would emerge as a larger and more dynamic scale, firmly rooted in Abuja’s socio-cultural and environmental context.
“The master plan creates a modern, mixed-use district where culture, innovation, commerce and daily life converge and where global investment and creative enterprise meet in a green tech zone, anchored by vibrant community life, iconic public spaces and green corridors.”
He said that the city walk would house a Google Tech Village, knowledge park with two universities, museum, library and multi-purpose indoor arena with cinemas and gym, projected to be the biggest arena in West Africa.
He added that “there will also be a police and fire station, ambulances, Mosques and Churches and a high-end residential area that includes parks and gardens and as time goes on, build an iconic corporate tower skyscraper.
“Other facilities will include healthcare, including diagnostic centres, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, medical research centres, fashion avenue, malls, five-star hotels and exhibition halls.”(NAN)
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu