Ministry defies National Assembly, concessions National Arts Theatre

[TheNation]

A major row may be brewing between the Federal Government and the National Assembly after the executive defied a stay action order from the House of Representatives and went ahead to concession the National Arts Theatre, Lagos.

The concessionaire and the terms of concession remained a top secret last night with sources saying only a few government officials have the details of the deal.

One source said it was doubtful if the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) was carried along on the issue.

Following a row over plans by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation to turn the complex into a hotel, the House of Representatives had on April 8, directed the minister, Mr. Edem Duke, to stay further action on the concession. It also halted the planned ejection of three agencies from the Theatre Complex.

In a letter signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism, Chief Ben Nwankwo, the Reps said they ought to be briefed on the inherent public interest in the planned development of the Arts Theatre.

Also, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Sen. Ahmed Barata faulted the minister by claiming that "interestingly, you have deliberately kept the Committee and National Assembly incommunicado on the action so far in order to deny her its legislative role."

Although the two chambers of the National Assembly are still looking at issues involved in the concession plans, a letter from a Federal Government Committee has confirmed the action taken by the government.

The confirmation of the concession of the Arts Theatre was contained in a letter by the Federal Government Implementation Committee of the White Paper on the Commission of Inquiry into the Alienation of Federal Government Landed Properties.

In the letter, the Secretary of the Presidential Implementation Committee, Mr. Kola Adeyemi, said government had decided to "relocate some agencies of the Federal Government that are currently located within and around the National Theatre based on the concessioning of the monument and that some of the agencies are to be moved to some offices at the Federal Ministry of Information Building, 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos which is in the custody of your office.

"In view of this, you are to, please cooperate with officers who have been given the responsibility to handle the relocation so that this important national assignment can be concluded on time," he said.

A government source, however, said: "Following media revelation about the secret concession plan, the National Council on Privatisation summoned the minister on why the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) was not carried along in the exercise.

"The NCP took the step because as far back as 2006, BPE had short-listed two firms for the lease of the National Arts Theatre. The companies are Infrastructica and Jadeas Trust.

"Infrastructica actually won the lease bid to pay the Federal Government N35billion for 35 years. But it could not raise the required funds. The offer was then set aside for Jadeas Trust.

"Instead of allowing Jadeas Trust to take over, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation attempted to turn the complex into a hotel until it boomeranged.

"We don't know whether they have conceded the National Theatre to Jadeas Trust or not. We don't know if they are still going ahead with their secret plot which NCP aborted. It is strange to hear that a concession has taken place.

"The National Assembly should assist Nigerians to know the truth on this concession they are talking about."

The theatre was inaugurated on September 30, 1976 by the then Military Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo.

It was opened five months before the hosting of the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC '77) in January/February 1977.

 

The Nation

[TheNation]