ABUJA – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate transformation of the abandoned recreational garden at the Life Camp Roundabout into a modern leisure and sporting park, promising residen
ts a world-class facility comparable to those in developed countries.
The minister gave the directive on Monday after inspecting the neglected park, saying the project would be handled as an emergency to fast-track its completion.
The planned facelift comes on the heels of the successful remodelling of the Abuja City Gate, which has become one of the capital city’s biggest attractions since it was commissioned during activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
The City Gate project recently earned the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) an award and commendation from the Office of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Green Nigeria Challenge.
Speaking during the inspection, Wike said the recognition had encouraged the administration to invest more in parks, green spaces and recreational facilities across the FCT.
“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.
The minister explained that the transformation of the City Gate had shown the importance of developing public spaces, noting that the facility now attracts visitors day and night.
“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 added.
Lamenting the poor condition of the Life Camp park, the minister said it was unfortunate that previous administrations had allowed such a valuable public asset to deteriorate.
“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 disclosed that the FCTA would equip the park with modern sporting and recreational facilities where residents could exercise, relax, take photographs and spend quality time with their families.
“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 stated.
Wike said he had directed officials of the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) to begin work on a befitting design immediately.
“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 declared.
The minister also announced that Abuja would, for the first time, host a grand New Year fireworks celebration at the City Gate from this year, saying the initiative would place the nation’s capital on the same pedestal as major cities around the world.
Expressing confidence in the project’s success, Wike said the FCTA would engage top construction firms and compare several design proposals before awarding the contract to ensure the best value and global-standard delivery.
He stressed that the redevelopment of the Life Camp park forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at improving public infrastructure, beautifying Abuja and creating more recreational opportunities for residents.
