The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has made allegations of significant financial discrepancies in the management of the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.
According to Wike, the previous operator of the ICC was remitting only N50 million annually to the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) despite generating over N300m monthly from the facility.
Speaking during a media briefing with select journalists at his Abuja residence on Monday, Wike frowned on the systemic neglect and poor maintenance that had plagued the national edifice for decades.
According to the minister, the ICC had remained untouched since its construction in 1991 under the Ibrahim Babangida administration, and had become an “eyesore” by the time President Bola Tinubu visited the venue for the ECOWAS Parliament event last year.
Wike said, “Remember, this International Conference Centre was built in 1991 by the IBB administration. Since 1991, nobody has touched that thing. When Mr. President came to inaugurate the ECOWAS Parliament sometime last year… It was an eyesore. It was horrible. And Mr. President couldn’t believe it. He said, ‘This is unacceptable, Mr. Minister, I don’t want to see this again.’”
He continued, “That is why I say leadership is key. And today, by the grace of God, we have achieved it. If you take a ride and go to that place, you yourself will feel happy.”
The minister disclosed that the facility had been previously leased to a serving senator, who mismanaged it, failed to maintain it, and shortchanged the government.
“You see, they gave it out to one senator. Everything in Nigeria politicians would be involved. The man ran the place down. He was paying Abuja Investment Company Limited about N50m a year. Meanwhile, in a month, they make nothing less than N300 million,” Wike said.
