By PHILIP YATAI

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MAG International Links Ltd, a private investor, for the development of City Walk Abuja.

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said during the ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, that the project would be a replica of City Walk Dubai.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project, which would cover about 200 hectares, was inspired by the City Walk concept in Dubai.

It will bring together a thoughtfully curated mix of residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, institutional, and healthcare facilities.

Wike said that the MoU was to ensure that the company delivers the project based on agreed work plans and timelines.

?I wish to say that the company has submitted their drawings which have been approved, and their Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is ready.

?But we have to sign an agreement such that if you don?t comply within the outlined specification and agreed timeline, then we have the right to revoke the land.

?We are not going to just give you a C-of-O and then nothing happens. We will not accept that again,? he said.

He pointed out that so many people have collected land for mass housing and other developments ?but ended up as land speculators, selling our land.

?We will not accept that.

?People have collected 200 hectares, 300 hectares and in 20 years nothing has happened. We have changed that pattern, so we are going to monitor the developments strictly,? he said.

He said that Abuja City Walk would be developed in the area earlier designated for Abuja Technology Village, located along Airport Road, but had remained undeveloped for the past 20 years.

?I want to make it clear that we have had problems with land grabbers in Abuja Technology Village, even those in the technology village are part of the problems.

?In the past 20 years, nothing has happened in the area and therefore, I would not like to lose this opportunity that we have seen investors who really want to invest and develop the land for the good of the city.

?If anybody has gone to Dubai and has seen the City Walk, there is no way you will not appreciate and encourage investors that are willing to do the same in Abuja.

?This is because the whole essence of the ?Renewed Hope Agenda? is not only to bring investors, but also to create employment for our people,? he said.

The minister said that the project would be developed in phases, with foundation laying hopes to take place between July and August.

He added that the first phase of the project would be completed and delivered in May 2026, to celebrate President Bola Tinubu?s third year in Office.

Describing the project as ?key? to the development of Abuja, Wike assured the investor of full support as directed by Tinubu to encourage investors to invest in the FCT for national development.

He said that the FCT would provide access roads to enable the investor to begin work on the site immediately.

?The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority is doing his best to see that there is no delay in this project.

?We have made sure that legally nothing will hinder the company from executing the project.

?To encourage them, Director Development Control is here to make sure that nobody obstructs them and the Director of Land is here to make sure they have access to their land,? he added.

The Executive Director of the company, Dr. Kassim Gidado, noted the ongoing transformation in the FCT, which had increased investors? confidence to make returns on investment.

Gidado assured the minister that the City Walk Abuja would not replicate the one in Dubai but edge it.

According to him, the project will be built to suit local cultural and traditional flavour and transform the Lugbe axis completely.

?This development represents a bold new direction for real estate in Nigeria?blending elegance, sustainability, and economic value to create a truly world-class destination

?The City Walk Abuja, a landmark master-plan will redefine urban experience in the FCT.? (NAN)

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