Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday said the newly renovated Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja has generated a revenue of N650 million.
Wike while speaking during a media chat with some select journalists said the revenue was generated from the facility within three weeks of its renovation and use.
Recall that the minister and President Bola Tinubu had faced backlash from some Nigerian leaders for spending N39 billion to renovate the ICC.
For instance, Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State described the renovation of the ICC as a wasteful venture.
According to Obi, the funds spent on renovating the facility could have been invested in Nigeria’s education or health sector.
However, speaking today, Wike explained that the ICC has automatically become a worthy revenue-generating facility for the FCTA.
He said, “The only thing that we didn’t do in that structure was to bring the whole thing down.
“Now let me tell you how this country works. The man they gave it (conference centre) to was paying N50 million to the FCT every year. That place was commissioned on June 10, and the revenue made within three weeks was N650 million. Why? People love good things.
“The president hosted the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) heads of state in that international conference centre. Go and see the comments from the ambassadors. People are rushing that place now.
“In fact, there’s no space. As I speak, it has been booked up to 2027,” Wike stated.
