The National theater is an architectural masterpiece and a cultural landmark located at Iganmu, in the heart of Lagos state, the business hub of Nigeria. Apart from providing a befitting venue for the 2nd World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77), it plays host to major cultural activities, art exhibitions, theatre rendition, symposia and film shows as well other national and international events. Based on this, the federal government has taken a bold step to upgrade the facility to an Entertainment City, the first ever in Nigeria. This was disclosed recently by Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke who lead the team at a forum held in Lagos. He announced that the federal government was officially requesting for Expression of Interest from investors for the concessioning of the fallow ground within the Theatre’s premises.
This initiative was to ensure the full
implementation of the initial master plan of the theatre, which includes the
construction of an entertainment city. This was also aimed at giving the
nation’s cultural heritage a vibrant image that will increase Tourism and also
allow concessionaires recoup their investment within thirty years. However, the
Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC),
Alhaji Aminu Diko, who was represented by an aide, Chibundu Edozie, commended
the ministry for the initiative and noted that there was an increasing
awareness worldwide of the critical role that the private sector could play in
the accelerated provision of infrastructure through Public-Private
Partnerships. He also highlighted the investment potentials of the city to
investors at the forum.
The new facility is proposed to take a
large expanse of land measuring about 134 hectares, out of which the
existing National Theatre occupies just 10 hectares. The preferred private
sector partner will design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the city
which is to include complementary facilities such as a five star hotel; grade A
office space, multi-level car park, international shopping mall to the
Northwest of the Theatre land, and water recreation parks to the North
East and South East of the Theatre. There are speculations that the
Entertainment city upon completion will not only increase investment
opportunities in Nigeria but will also make her a leading tourist destination.
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