The ongoing renovation work of the National Arts Theatre complex will be completed and inaugurated in November, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has said.

Mr Mohammed spoke on Saturday shortly after undertaking an inspection tour of the work done so far on the facility.

He also lauded the Lagos State government for providing the enabling environment, especially in the areas of rail transportation and the usage of the waterways.

The minister assured Nigerians that the renovation project would “not be an abandoned project”.

Also speaking, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, said by the latest estimates, the project costs the Bankers’ Committee about $100 million.

“For avoidance of doubt, this project is costing the bankers’ committee, by last estimates, about $100 million.

“More will be invested in this project, but it is going to be business where the monies will be realised again,” he said.

Mr Emefiele also stated that foreign investors were beginning to show interest in the creative opportunities being developed around the complex.

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari would, on the day of the inauguration, lay the foundation for the four verticals –  the music, the movie, IT as well as the fashion hub.

“So, in November, we can begin to bring this place back to us again, and then put life into the tourism sector in Nigeria  and particularly in Lagos State,” he said.

On his part, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the project would further deepen the state’s GDP and that of the country in general.

(NAN)