FEC approves N1.5billion to complete Nnamdi Azikwe’s mausoleum

The Federal Executive Council has approved the contract for the completion of a mausoleum in Onitsha, Anambra state, in memory of the first president of Nigeria, late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Briefing state house correspondents after the council meeting on Wednesday, the Minister of Housing, Lands and Urban development Miss Amal Pepple, said that the mausoleum which will cost N1.496 billion will be completed in thirteen months’ time before the centennial celebrations of Nigeria’s amalgamation.

The late Zik, as he was fondly called was one of the leading figures of modern Nigerian nationalism. He became the first president of Nigeria following the nation’s independence from colonial masters, the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960.

He died in 1996.

The mausoleum been built in his memory in Onitsha, his home town, which is yet to be completed, is now a major concern for Jonathan’s administration.

The contract which was initially handled by the President’s office has now been transferred to the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Urban development.

Giving a breakdown on the budgetary plans for the mausoleum, Ms Pepple stated that N530 million of the total sum was captured in the 2012 budget while over N1billion will be captured in the 2013 budget.

Also approved by the council was the roadmap for the development of solid minerals and the metals sector of the economy.

The Minister for Mines and Steel development, Architect Mohammed Sada said that government has for some time been making pronouncement that it is one of the sectors it needs to develop to provide an alternative source of revenue for the country.

According to the Minister, the over-dependence on oil has led to the neglect of several sectors of the Nigerian economy and one of such sectors is the solid minerals, which the nation is highly endowed with.

He admitted that what the government has pledged for the sector, were mere pronouncements and that the Jonathan administration has now gone beyond rhetoric to produce a roadmap that will turn the sector around.

Architect Sada, noted that the reforms in the minerals sector started in 2005 but have not been steady. He however stated that with the launch of the roadmap, if and when followed religiously, will help move the sector forward and give direction to investors.

Source: Channels