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Plans New Year fireworks at Abuja City Gate
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate redesign and upgrade of the abandoned Life Camp Recreation Park into a modern leisure and sporting facility, saying the project will be treated as an emergency to improve the quality of life for residents.
The minister announced the decision on Monday after inspecting the neglected recreational garden at the Life Camp Roundabout, just hours after receiving a Certificate of Commendation from First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Green Nigeria Challenge.
Wike said the recognition, which followed the successful transformation of the Abuja City Gate into a recreational and environmental landmark, had inspired the FCT Administration to invest in more green and public spaces across the nation’s capital.
“Today, by the grace of God, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, gave the Federal Capital Territory Administration an award and commendation over our contribution to the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Green Nigeria Challenge and how we have been able to turn around the City Gate into recreation centres and make the environment greener,” he said.
According to the minister, the revamped Abuja City Gate has quickly become one of the city’s most popular attractions.
“It was the initiative of the First Lady to make sure that the City Gate looks like what city gates look like all over the world. Since it was commissioned, it has become an attraction centre where people visit day and night. This award will spur us and motivate us to continue implementing the ideals of the Renewed Hope Initiative,” Wike said.
Turning to the abandoned Life Camp park, the minister described its neglect over the years as regrettable, saying previous administrations failed to harness its enormous recreational potential.
“It is unfortunate that governments have come and gone without thinking about this place. I must commend the First Lady for reminding us of the need to preserve areas where people can leave their homes and communities to relax,” he said.
He explained that the administration plans to restore the park with world-class facilities that will serve residents seeking recreation, exercise and relaxation.
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“What we intend to do here is to bring it back and provide modern facilities so that people living within this area can come here for their daily sporting activities, recreation, relaxation, take photographs and enjoy themselves, just as it is done in advanced countries,” he said.
Wike disclosed that he had instructed the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) to begin work immediately on a redesign of the facility, insisting that the project would bypass lengthy bureaucratic procedures.
“I have directed the relevant officials of the FCDA to move very quickly and present us with what is most befitting for a city like Abuja. We are going to treat this as an emergency. It cannot go through the normal bureaucratic process because our people deserve better,” he said.
The minister also unveiled plans to introduce an annual New Year fireworks celebration at the Abuja City Gate beginning this year, saying the initiative would place the nation’s capital alongside major cities around the world.
“Just like it is done all over the world, where cities usher in the New Year with fireworks, that is what we intend to do this year at the City Gate. By the grace of God, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, we will, for the first time in this country, celebrate the New Year in that manner,” he said.
Expressing satisfaction with the natural landscape of the Life Camp site, Wike said the administration would engage reputable firms to produce competing designs before selecting the best proposal.
“Look at the topography; see what we have been missing. Citizens want a good life, and they are not asking for too much. The administration of President Bola Tinubu is determined to restore hope to our people. We will invite the best companies and also obtain alternative designs so we can compare and choose the very best. We want something that meets global standards, and we want it delivered as quickly as possible,” he added.
The planned redevelopment is part of the FCT Administration’s broader programme to expand green spaces, leisure parks and recreational infrastructure across Abuja, following the widely acclaimed remodelling of the Abuja City Gate.
