Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike, says the FCT Administration (FCTA) has concluded plans to remodel the Life Camp Recreation Park to a global standard befitting a nation’s capital.

He disclosed this when he visited the site on Monday, after meeting with the first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, in Abuja.

He said the decision followed a certificate of commendation presented to the FCTA by the first lady for keying into the Green Nigeria Challenge under her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

He added that the commendation followed the administration’s vigorous commitment to turning green areas into recreational centres, thereby making the environment green.

He noted that “you know what happened at the Abuja City Gate, which was her initiative by making sure that the city gate is transformed into what other city gates look like all over the world.

“The remodelled gate was inaugurated on July 9, and today, it has become a site attraction, a recreation centre, with people going there day and night.”

The minister explained that the green award motivated the administration to do more to showcase the level of seriousness.

“I made a promise that we are going to turn around the recreation site at Life Camp, which had been abandoned.

“I have come here today to see what we’re missing. So unfortunate that governments have come, governments have gone, but nobody has thought about this place.

“That’s why we’re here. I’ve seen it. I’m well impressed, and the topography is good enough. I will give it to the best company. Even though Julius Berger will come, we will also bring one or two other companies to give us an alternative design so that we can compare,” he said.

The minister commended the first lady for filling the gap and reminding the government of recreational locations where people would leave their homes and communities to relax.

“So, what we intend to do here now is to bring it back and give it modern facilities.

“This will enable people who live within this area to come here and carry out their daily sporting activities, friction, lives, relax, take pictures, and do other things like the way it is done in well-advanced countries,” he said.

He said he had directed the acting executive secretary of the FCTA to invite Julius Berger and other companies to bring proposals on how to turn the place into a recreational area befitting Nigeria’s capital city.

He announced that the project would be executed under emergency conditions so that it would be delivered within the next year.

On the remodelled city gate, Mr Wike said that for the first time in the country, the site would be used for a countdown to usher in the new year and would be facilitated by the first lady.

“There will be fireworks, and residents will gather and count down into the new year. That’s what we intend to do this year at the city gate.

“By the grace of God, for the first time in this country, we will do the same thing as it is being done in other developed countries,” he said.

The minister reiterated the President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to restoring confidence in government.

The first lady on Monday presented a certificate of commendation to Mr Wike “for transforming Abuja’s City Gate into a major recreational and environmental landmark.”

‎The first lady also commended the FCT Administration for its environmental efforts in line with the just-concluded category of the ongoing Green Nigeria Challenge under the RHI.

‎She urged state governments across the country to emulate Mr Wike by engaging the youth in environmental protection programmes.

(NAN)