National theatre restoration to be completed in 15 months –– Emefiele
By Kayode Tokede
The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele has said the restoration and refurbishment of the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos to be completed in 15 months.
Speaking at the handover of the National Theatre to the Bankers Committee on Sunday, he said, “For the record, the main contractor is Cappa & D’Alberto Limited, the Electrical Sub Contractor is Nairda Limited, while the Mechanical Sub Contractor is VACC Limited.
“These are well regarded names in the industry who have gone through rigorous and transparent processes to arrive here today. We have timelines and milestones which will be followed, and we look to a successful completion and hand over in 15 months.”
He said the National Arts Theatre is one of the most iconic buildings in Nigeria and despite its current state, nearly 45 years after it was built, it has continued to inspire the creativity of Nigerians, especially amongst the teeming youthful population.
He said the idea behind the project, christened: “Lagos Creative And Entertainment Centre,” is amined at restoring the glory of the building, and develop an ecosystem of creative hubs on the adjoining 44Hectare parcel of land.
According to him, “Firstly, we seek to restore the glory of an iconic building by aligning most of the fabric and equipment and facilities in the building with the aesthetics of the 21st century, and secondly to develop an ecosystem of creative hubs on the adjoining 44Hectare parcel of land. This new facility will complement and enhance the National Arts Theatre.”
He noted that the Bankers’ Committee is providing funding for a prototype cluster located to the north of the National Arts Theatre, a development which is labelled the “Signature Cluster.”
He explained further that “This facility will be a convenor – providing space, support network, business development and community engagement for the creative, cultural and technology sectors.
“The Signature Cluster will consist of a building each for Music, Film, Fashion and Information Technology verticals. In addition to these, a Welcome/Visitor’s Centre, Police and Fire Stations, and structured parking for up to 500 vehicles will be built.
“Consequently, the 44 Hectare site adjourning the National Theatre will be developed and utilised for the development of purpose-built creative hubs for the Fashion Industry, Music and Film as well as Information Technology (IT). The aim is to deliver a successful Creative and Entertainment city that will encourage additional investment into Nigeria’s creative industry.
“This parcel of land, which is currently a polluted storm water retention basin will be dredged, with the expectation that the Ebute Meta creek will be re-instated to ensure adequate flushing and free flow of clean water.
“A portion of the site has been earmarked for the construction of the “Signature Cluster,” which consists of one building each for Fashion, Music, Film and IT. Each structure has been uniquely designed to function independently, yet codependently, providing the opportunity for extensive collaborations between the different creative communities.
The Fashion building is a full-fledged apparel production facility with textile showroom, retail and photography spaces and teaching laboratories.
The Music building will house recording studios with all front and back-end spaces and facilities. An amphitheatre has been designed to adjoin the Music Hub in the master plan.
The film facility consists of stage set-up areas as well as all back-end spaces necessary for full production of films.
The information technology facility consists of co-working and co-living spaces, training facilities and indoor and outdoor breakout clusters, all carefully designed to ensure that interface with the creative users is enhanced.
“In addition to the four signature buildings, other support facilities which include multi-storey parking to accommodate 500 cars (the National Theatre currently has dedicated parking for 250 cars), a police station, a fire station and a visitors’ Welcome Centre will be built.
“The Welcome Centre which sits at the heart of the “civic” master plan will house commercial and retail facilities, administration & management offices amongst others.
“Working with environmental and hydrology specialists, the existing natural ecosystem that has been formed over the decades will remain largely undisturbed and preserved, ensuring an interplay between nature and the built environment.
“In effect, not only are we establishing a community for creatives, nature-lovers and environmentalists, we will, through a network of pedestrian platforms, have the opportunity to explore the natural habitation of plant and animal life.
“The creative industry in Nigeria is growing rapidly and gaining international recognition and acceptance. It is important that we contribute our quota to continuous improvement, by establishing a platform that encourages more participation.
“This means that we are providing an avenue for the active engagement of the youths in Nigeria and the creation of jobs, which include those birthed from new competences specific to the creative industry. This project will no doubt bring considerable benefits to all Nigerians, especially the youth who are the reason and inspiration behind this initiative. The tenacity of our youth is highly commendable and admirable, and has reflected in the economic returns of the Creative Industry. Their activities, through the music, film and fashion industry, have also brought global acclaim to Nigeria.
“Your Excellency, Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, massive job creation in this upsurge of creative entrepreneurship starts now. We anticipate that there would be at least 10,000 direct and indirect jobs created during the construction of the Lagos Creative & Entertainment Centre. We also project that over 25,000 people would be engaged in different sections of the centre when the Signature Cluster is completed, with anticipated multiplier effect of other job opportunities.
“To ensure the National Arts Theatre and the adjoining entertainment hubs retain its decent and magnificent ambience, upon completion, the Ministry of information and the CBN/ Bankers committee will ensure that the edifice is managed by a world class Facility Manager to be appointed using competent/ reputable consultants. The Memorandum of understanding bringing this to effect will also be signed today.
“At this juncture, I wish to place on record my deep appreciation to the Governor of Lagos State, for his genuine commitment to this project.
“We particularly underscore the support we are getting from issues ranging from statutory approvals, the environment, linkages to the adjoining light rail and the dredging works which need to be undertaken. I would also like to express my profound gratitude to the Honorable Minister of Information and Culture, the landlords of this facility, for his unwavering commitment to this project. I equally thank the Honourable Minster of Youth and Sports, for his contribution; after all, it is the creative youth of our beloved nation that will benefit the greatest from this project by unleashing their potential. Our gratitude equally goes to the Director-General of the National Arts Theatre and his team for the support we have received.
However, let me apologise upfront for any temporary inconveniences that may occur as work progresses. SANEF Creatives, the design and project management team have put in more than a year’s work, and we acknowledge this today. To members of the Bankers’ Committee, I say kudos to you for the financial contributions of your respective institutions to this project and your personal commitments to making the dream of revamping this treasured national icon a reality.”
