The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed the true reason behind the construction of Abuja’s International Conference Centre.
According to Wike, former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida built the ICC to host an Organization of African Unity meeting.
The meeting was initially scheduled for Ethiopia but was relocated due to security concerns under Ethiopia’s then-communist regime.
Nigeria stepped in after Egypt faced challenges, leading to the urgent construction of the ICC through an oil swap arrangement.
Wike shared this revelation while inspecting ongoing projects in Abuja, including the N5 and Apo-Wassa roads.
He noted that the ICC rehabilitation project is currently 70 to 80 percent complete, with a total cost of 39 billion naira.
Julius Berger, the contractor handling the renovation, has assured that the project will be completed and delivered by May.
Wike criticised past mismanagement of the ICC, stressing that it was leased to individuals who prioritised profit over maintenance.
He emphasized the importance of having a world-class conference facility, aligning with Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest economy.
Wike commended President Bola Tinubu’s support for the project, highlighting the administration’s commitment to national infrastructure development.
