Two years after it was shut down due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the FCT Administration, finally reopened the popular Millennium Park, to be accessed only by those vaccinated against the virus.
The park was closed down at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, as part of measures to check the spread of the virus.
FCT Minister, Malam Muhammed Bello, on Monday, removed the sign that had indicated the closure of the park and pushed open its gates signifying its reopening for public use.
Speaking after a tour of the facility, the minister announced that as part of the FCT Administration’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, access to the park will be limited to only members of the public who are vaccinated against the disease and revealed that the park has been designated as a COVID-19 vaccination center where residents can be vaccinated against the disease.
Bello said that the event was more than just reopening of the park, but also appreciating the God for safely taking the FCT through the difficult time.
The minister who also lamented that almost 95 percent of the parks in Abuja have totally derailed from the FCTA park policy, appealed to the media and the public to support the FCTA’s efforts towards rediscovering Abuja from what it was meant to be by the founding fathers.
He urge those opposing the FCTA park policy to have a rethink and support the administration in the journey to transform all parks to what it was meant to be.
“Today signifies a very important milestone for the city. A day when officially our own Millennium Park in Abuja will be open after over two years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For us in the city this occasion today is more than just the reopening of the park but appreciating God Almighty for having taken us safely through all this difficult times.
“More importantly, it is a day when we are going to say thank you Salini Nigeria Ltd, for being a very reliable partner and cooperate citizen in Abuja, who have single handedly constructed this park over 22 years ago.
“And more importantly continue to maintain it to this international standard that you all see today without charging a kobo. What we have seen today is what truly a park ought to be in Abuja.”
“Very unfortunately, almost 95 percent of the parks in Abuja have totally derailed from our park policy. What you see here is what we call the FCT Park Policy in action.
“They have an opening time, they have a closing time, they have perimeter fence, lights, security and toilet.”
Earlier, the Managing Director of Salina Nigeria Ltd., Dr Piero Capitano, thanked the administration for all the support to the company.
Represented by the Project Manager of the company, Mr Gennaro D’ltria, Capitano, said that the park was a century of relaxation which provides freedom and peace.