President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed happiness with the Centenary City Development foreign partners from the United Arab Emirate (UAE) for committing $18.5 Billion to the project.
The President said that with such commitment, UAE has demonstrated that it has enough confidence in Nigeria economic development.
President Buhari, who along with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received briefing on the project from the Chairman of the company’s board of directors, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and members of its management team today, also expressed happiness that all the original inhabitants of the site for the Centenary City PLC have been fully compensated
President Buhari was also impressed by the huge number of unemployed that would be gainfully engaged directly when the project becomes functional, putting the figure of jobs to be created at about 250,000 whereas another one million people would be engaged indirectly.
The President noted that the skills, expertise and vast experience that will be brought into the country to build the Centenary City on the Dubai model, will also be of immense benefit to Nigeria’s overall development.
He asked for regular updates on the Centenary City’s development from the board.
This was even as Vice President Osinbajo said that the issue of the rights of the original inhabitants of the site acquired for the Centenary City had been of concern to the present Administration.
“We are glad that it is being handled,” he said even as said that he is happy to hear that compensation had been paid to those who will be displaced by the project and that the issue of their relocation was being addressed.
General Abubakar and the management of the Centenary City had told President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo that the project will be totally private sector driven.
The delegation is made up of General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Sheikh Mohammed Alabbar, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. Chief (Dr.) Cletus Ibeto, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), Dr. Tunde Ayeni, Mrs Florunsho Alakija, Engr. Hani Saliba, Mr. George Marks, Dr. Musa A. Musa, Alhaji Haruna Alfa Ahmed, Mr. Monabe Mitee, Mrs. Pamela Obaze
Mr. Ugo Nkwocha, Mr. Emmanuel Uchola, Mrs. Akuchukwu Fabusoye, Dr. Odenigwe Ike Michaels, Jr. Ms. Boma Ozobia, Esq, Mr. Jaimal Shergill and Mr. Ahmad Al Amin. [myad]
