The Federal Government is currently working on proposal that would transform the entire landscape and structure of the National Arts Theater, Iganmu, Lagos into a masterpiece and one of a kind centre of entertainment in Africa.
The project is expected to be carried out through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement spearheaded by VGL Consultant. Under the arrangement, a five star hotel will be built on 12 hectares of land, 27 hectares allocated for office accommodation, 18 hectares allocated for world class shopping complex while what is left will be devoted for a car park that would take at least 5000 vehicles.
Besides the new structure, the old edifice will also be renovated. General Manager, of the National Arts Theatre, Mr. Kabir Yusuf said in Lagos that the entire edifice is in need of attention. But Minister for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Edem Duke who threw more light on the issue said, all Nigerians including members of the National Assembly will be carried along in this onerous task of making the Thearter a cynosure of all eyes.
To that effect, Chairman House Committee on Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Mr. Ben Nwankwo led members of his committee on a fact finding mission to Lagos to ascertain the state of affairs at the Thearter.
“Government is desirous of transforming the entire premises into an entertainment city that will be a cynosure of entertainment centres in Africa”, he said, adding that when completed, the project will generate jobs, create wealth and bring about the realisation of Nigeria’s cultural mandate and boost the national economy.
While defending the PPP arrangement, he said the entire edifice is crying for attention whereas government does not have enough cash to put the structure where it rightly belongs.
