By Stanley Onyekwere.
In its efforts to boost tourism in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is spending a whooping sum of over N334 billion (about 2 billion US Dollars), to develop the Ultra-Modern Jabi Lake Resort in the Phase II of the Federal Capital City.
The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, who made this disclosure when he received the Executive members of Nigeria Young Professionals Forum, who paid him a courtesy call, in Abuja, said the Administration in partnership with private investors has already commenced development of the resort.
According to the minister, when the resort is completed it would take Abuja to the next level in promoting tourism, and by extension generating the required revenue to augment budgetary allocation from the Federal Government.
“The Federal Government has made a lot of investment in the FCT by providing seed money and now the time has come for the FCT Administration to create institutions, structures in terms of legal framework to leverage on private funding by way of competition to take Abuja to the next level.
“The FCT Administration has received marching order from President Goodluck Jonathan to build human capital and institution as well as partnership in accordance with the global best practice.
“Conscious of the need to promote tourism, the FCT Administration gave priority to the on-going construction of the Abuja Millennium Towers at the Central Business District where work at the site has reached an appreciable stage of completion,” a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, quoted the minister.
He added that government was presently considering collaboration and partnership with competent private investors to complete the multi billion Naira landmark project.
Mohammed therefore urged the Forum to use its contacts across the globe to woo investors to come and invest in Abuja; saying that Abuja is a haven for genuine investors.
Speaking earlier, Forum, Moses Siloko Siasia, said the Forum is yearning for positive change and called for partnership with the FCT Administration.
The Chairman called for support to enable the Forum take the drivers’ seat to bring about the much-needed development of the entire country.
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