FG To Complete Zik Masoleum, Soon

The Federal Government will soon complete Zik Masoleum, Chief Nduese Essien, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, has said.

Essien gave the assurance in Onitsha, Anambra State, recently while inspecting the abandoned project.

“The Federal Government is committed to making funds available for its completion in the 2011 Appropriation Act,’’ he said.

According to him, the mausoleum will be 30m above the ground or the height of a 10-storey building.

“We have found that the complexity, risk content and sensitivity of the building requires expert touch,” the minister said, and added that the government had decided to review the entire contract.

This is to accommodate the mausoleum, a conference/administrative block, residential/guest houses, external infrastructure, swimming pool, boy’s quarters, landscaping and horticulture.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to immortalising Nigerians, whose contributions had greatly shaped the destiny of the country.

“President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to immortalising the Great Zik of Africa, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, former Governor-General and first President, and other notable nationalists,’’ Essien said.

He said that when completed, the mausoleum would serve as a historic remembrance to the spirit of African nationalism and a world class tourism centre.

“The mausoleum would be a great and commanding presence that Nigerians will for all times recognise for the life of the Great Zik of Africa.

“He has become a part of our common history and the story of our triumph over the forces of oppression and injustice.

“However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the work could not move further under previous administrations.’’

He traced the project to 1996 after the death of Zik when the Federal Government set up a committee for the internment and build a befitting burial chamber in Zik’s honour.

Responding, Chief Chukwuma Azikiwe, son of the late nationalist, applauded the government’s move to complete the project, which he described as overdue.

He also commended Jonathan for setting up a special task force for the project, adding that this would remove the bureaucracy that had hampered the project for over 14 years.