The Nigerian Ministry of Information, Arts and culture says the new National Theatre will play host to the United Nations, as well as World Health Organisation sometime in November this year among other global events.
The Minister, Lai Mohammed expressed optimism during the second inspection of the edifice in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
” I think we have crossed the rubicon and by the time we come back in two months’ time we will all see that a lot of work had been buried under” , he said .
Mohammed also expressed his gratitude to the Central Bank of Nigeria for its contribution to the ongoing project.
“Once again, I want to express my appreciation to the CBN governor, the Bankers Committee, which have made it possible for government to have enough finance and of course to the governor of Lagos state because he is also providing the enabling environment in terms of rail transportation and in terms of making use of the waterways. I want to assure you that from what we have heard today that this will not be an abandoned project. This project will be commissioned before the end of this administration”, he concluded.
On his part, the Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele said the targeted months for the commissioning of the new National Art Theatre would be November this year.
Mr Emefiele noted that the project cost the Bankers Committee about $100 million and that over $100 million would be invested in the project.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this project is valued by the the Bankers Committee at the last estimate about $100 million and I must say that about $100 million or more would be invested in this project, but it is going to be business where the monies would be realised again.
“And I am happy that foreign investors are already showing interest and I want to place it on record that we have received enquiries from the United States from investors who have said that they are interested in taking a look at not just the National Art Theatre, but also the creative opportunities that we are developing around here.”
Speaking on the effects the new theatre will have on the Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu said if completed, it will also boost the GDP of Lagos State.
“This can further help the state to deepening our GDP as a state, as a nation and continue to de-emphasize oil as the only source of revenue that we have and we can begin to export all of the talents that will be coming out of this place to the rest of Africa and the world”, Sanwo-olu noted.
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