The last of the Centenary City project in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory is yet to be heard, as a group which goes by the name Nigerian Unemployed Youth Vanguard (NUYV) has embarked on protest, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the alleged fraud perpetrated in the multi billion naira project.
Astatement jointly issued yesterday by Mr. Solomon Adodo, national coordinator and Mr. Suleiman Musa, national secretary, the group said there was some element of truth in the allegation raised by Senator Cairo Ojougboh, National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for South-South on the project.
Senator Ojougboh, had petitioned Buhari in July, alleging that the 18 billion dollars centenary city project was a scam. The Centenary City project was initiated by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to mark Nigeria’s 100 years of existence.
Ojougboh alleged that government had no equity in the project and that Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation was the sole owner of the 3,000 acres of land on which it is sited.
The group said that it had strong evidence to prove that the project was a scam as alleged by Ojougboh and vowed to drag Anyim to court.
“The entire landmass on which the Centenary City rests was wrongfully acquired under false pretence.
“The free trade zone status granted the city clearly contravenes the sacrosanct provisions of the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) Act.
“Its promoters have hidden the Certificate of Occupancy of the said Centenary City since it has been marked as a free trade zone.
“This is contrary to global practice which stipulates that the Certificate of Occupancy of a free trade zone be in possession of the government.’’
The group alleged that Anyim used his position as the SGF to mislead former President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerians, adding: “what they didn’t know is that the project was a grand plot for further enrichment of greedy elements in the society while further impoverishing the masses.
“The Centenary City project will not translate into employment for Nigerians because our jobs will be exported overseas due to its phoney free trade zone status.”
The group added that it had written the President detailing its findings on the “excessive fraud shrouded in the Centenary City project.
“We strongly believe that Mr President will stand up to his salient promises in this moment of truth and ensure the Centenary City project is revoked.
“The criminal elements behind it are bent on wrecking our nation’s economy and frustrating President Muhammadu Buhari’s drive at generating employment for the Nigerian youth.” [myad]
