Wike Orders Closure Of Abuja International Conference Centre
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has shutdown the International Conference Centre, ICC, to facilitate its renovation.
The decision to shutdown the center became paramount after the former governor of Rivers State inspected the place on April 08, 2024.
Wike, who complained about the deplorable state of the facilities, said the ICC would be closed to for immediate rehabilitation of the Centre to meet international standard.
The Minister also cancelled all events scheduled to take in the Centre.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu drew his attention to the poor state of the facilities at the ICC during the Inauguration of the ECOWAS Parliament, adding that no one will be happy with the state of the facilities at the ICC.
He said “In fact, during that inauguration, Mr. President called my attention; even the lighting system was poor. We have gone round; you and I know that it’s unacceptable.
“There is no way we can accept this as an international conference centre. You can call it a conference centre but not international. So, we have decided that we can’t continue to be embarrassed in this way.
“So, we are sorry to announce this; every booking meant to be used here is cancelled as we start immediate rehabilitation of this centre to bring it to international standard.”
The FCT Minister also disclosed that Julius Berger Plc, which originally built the complex has been mandated with the task of rehabilitating the ICC.
He added that the ICC, after its rehabilitation, would be handed over to the Abuja Investment Company to once again for appropriate management.
Asked if the FCTA will probe the former managers of the complex for non-remittance of funds accruable to the FCTA, the Minister stated that he had no interest in probing them, saying “Mine is to give the country a befitting international conference centre.”
On the tour with the Minister were the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr Shehu Hadi Ahmed Managing Director of Abuja Investment Company Limited, Amb. Maureen Tamuno Regional Manager, Julius Berger, Nig. Plc Oliver Berger and other senior officials of the FCTA.