By SaharaReporters, New York

The burgeoning profligacy of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration was further underlined in Abuja today as the government announced it has given approval for the construction of a new modern city within Abuja for the country to celebrate its centennial.

The approval was given by the Federal Executive Council at its weekly meeting, which was presided over by President Jonathan.
Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting which lasted about eight hours, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said the new city is an entirely private sector driven.

“The new city that has been proposed as part of our centenary celebration is entirely private sector driven, no kobo from government. Let that be very, very clear. This is absolutely private sector driven with private sector investment.”

He said that the government’s only contribution will be to provide land through the FCT and agree on a proper design, following which it will be completely taken over by the private sector.

“The only few government facility that will be there will be an archaic for celebrations,” Maku added, pointing out that the new city might take up to 10 to 15 years to develop.

The city of Abuja, which has been in use for less than 30 years, has attracted a bad reputation as one of the world’s most expensive cities, with current and former top government officials relentlessly and greedily pillaging whatever they wish, no matter its price tag.

As a geo-political entity, Nigeria came into existence in 1914 following the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates by the British, represented by the then Governor-General of the country, Lord Frederick Lugard.

Still speaking to the correspondents, Mr. Maku blamed the media for Nigeria’s poor image as a corrupt country. Commenting on a new report by Transparency International in which Nigeria is ranked 37th on the global corruption index, Mr. Maku urged the media and the people of the country to help the government to present a better image of the nation to the world.

The Minister did not say when government officials would lead by example or when his government will start combating corruption.

Responding a few months ago to the national clamor for him to declare his assets, President Jonathan answered that he does not give a damn and will never publicly declare his assets

What a waste of resources.

@Afam i don't think this is a waste of resources since FG said its utterly private sector driven - i think this is just high ranking priority misplacement. We need the private sectors in areas that benefits the aspirations of ordinary Nigerians. if people criticize the retardeen nau it will remind us of how one African country built a state to celebrate 50 years. informed policy is on holiday in Nigeria.

truth4meal: @Afam i don't think this is a waste of resources since FG said its utterly private sector driven - i think this is just high ranking priority misplacement. We need the private sectors in areas that benefits the aspirations of ordinary Nigerians. if people criticize the retardeen nau it will remind us of how one African country built a state to celebrate 50 years. informed policy is on holiday in Nigeria.

We're saying the same. I know it's not government driven but it's a waste all the same. Why can't the government advise whoever is sponsoring this project to build schools, hospitals etc with the money instead.

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Rubbish, abuja has 4 development areas instead of following the master plan, they are trying to input their own rubbish.

Like say no be government officials
and their business allies outside
government be d private investors.

seems like an Opportunity for government to allocate cheap or free land to their cronies.

but seriously the FEC is a disgrace to leadership, every time they converge like this they always make a mockery of common sense.

.

The private investors should remeber to make provision for low-cost housing for the middle-class.

The height of ignorance!
Beautiful shenanigans!

A city dat will become a slum before nigeria becomes 100.... Dats if we'll ever be 100 as one.




Inshort! I refuse to comment!

Nigeria @100 make i laugh in yoruba says who nigeria will ever last till dat time,mind you a word nigeria will defo be erased @55 so dnt bother to waste any fund

musiwa7: ti e ba ti ile ise , it ijoba apapo ti gbo owo. e ma save owo. ki ni to ye ki ijo state se ni yi.. ti wa ba fu yi lo owo. e ni je ke won gba owo lo wo yi

who's this?...its even hard for yoruba pple to understand wat u put up here

Misplaced priority

What happend to the independence day monument, nigeria at 50

What is there to celebrate? Nigerian leaders and celebration sef.

Its so sad that 90% of Nigerians her on naira land are plainly stupid! How can this announcement not be welcomed? Look at the effect of such development in Dubai! East London etc? Do you guys just criticise for the sake of it? PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVEN is the key phrase here. If they build hospitals in S Africa we complain now they want to develop Nigeria some fools are opening their wide mouths

Private sector driven indeed!

their will be nothing like nigeria again in the next 47 year,clueless leader talking about an event thats still 47 years to come.as they say "ONLY IN 9JA"

Its in 2014 they are calculating from 1914 the almagamation when Lugard's wife named our geo-political region Nigeria

Retardee at work, what is wrong with this pple?

how can comon man benefit from this? from january till now, nothing tangible from our goverment,

pple are complaining everyday, is like they are not concern about masses anymore,

i dont know what to write again, i pray that their time will finish as qucikly as possible.

jonathan's brain has damaged beyond repairs. In fact it is now a scrab. I wonder what Oyedepe, Kumuyi, Adeboye and other Self- Annointed Men of God tell this Ijaw fisherman any time he comes to their business offices for annual ritual "blessing" which he does regulary? At least he needs deliverance from serious mental disorder ravaging him now! Retarden "but why" as an Igboman would always ask. Who placed this curse on you-to remain clueless! But why!!!

Sarcoc: Its so sad that 90% of Nigerians her on naira land are plainly stupid! How can this announcement not be welcomed? Look at the effect of such development in Dubai! East London etc? Do you guys just criticise for the sake of it? PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVEN is the key phrase here. If they build hospitals in S Africa we complain now they want to develop Nigeria some fools are opening their wide mouths

Mumuu...... Can u please, tell me the poverty level of those country you just mention?

The master plan for long lasting corruption.

Who is private sector = PDP Cabals

This is where I have to laugh,

Mr Gej, has finally lost it. Abeg let me laugh jor, the gods must be crazy

and that is the reason the private sector should be given incentives to go SE and SS for this type projects and the GOAT HEAD will make history instead of continue to leak ass in order to remain in power.

Clerverly: jonathan's brain has damaged beyond repairs. In fact it is now a scrab. I wonder what Oyedepe, Kumuyi, Adeboye and other Self- Annointed Men of God tell this Ijaw fisherman any time he comes to their business offices for blessing which he does regulary? At least he needs deliverance from serious mental disorder ravaging him now! Retarden "but why" as Igbo would always ask. Who place this curse on you-to remain clueless! But why!!!

And when did GEJ came to kumuyi for spiritual blessing don't generalize things bro

Rubbish

Sarcoc: Its so sad that 90% of Nigerians her on naira land are plainly stupid! How can this announcement not be welcomed? Look at the effect of such development in Dubai! East London etc? Do you guys just criticise for the sake of it? PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVEN is the key phrase here. If they build hospitals in S Africa we complain now they want to develop Nigeria some fools are opening their wide mouths

EWU

Good project. Similar to enugu centenary city.

http://enugucentenarycity.com/resources/features/index.php

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/02/enugu-mega-city-project-takes-off/

For those that don't know Nigeria was created on january 1, 1914 which by 2014 it will be 100 years old. while we got our independence from britain on 1st october 1960.

back to the topic : I think is a good idea but the location should be in the 36 states not Abuja.

Mad regime..