By Uche Amunike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has flagged off the rehabilitation of 135 roads in the FCT, on Monday, even as he sounded a note of warning to contractors handling the projects and the FCT’s team of engineers, against contract variations.
He gave a timeline of six months for the contracts to be completed and stated that the FCTA would pay all the contractors their full monies to enable them complete the projects within the stipulated timeline given.
Hear him: ‘To the contractors, let me warn you now. All these things you are doing with Engineering Services (department) will not work again. Nothing like variation; it will not work. Kobo, one naira, in the next seven days it becomes N15, it will not work again. It will not work, so don’t even try it. There is no variation in this job.’
‘We have the money to pay you. So, if you like to go to engineering services and do anything with them, it will not work.’
‘We are paying you your money and I assure you that nobody will owe you a dime. We are going to pay you and you must finish within the time we have agreed with you.’
Nyesom Wike further warned the administration’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, to avoid bringing any paper to ask for reconsideration or even a file for unanticipated issues because, according to him, ‘everything has been considered and anticipated’.
He appealed to residents to give their support to the contractors so that they would be able to finish the job on time, adding that every development comes with some pains. He also asked for the support of traditional rulers, in seeing that the youths and every resident of their communities offer their support to contractors to deliver their jobs on time. He further thanked the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mr. Christopher Maikalangu, for making the public declaration that the area council chairmen’s decision to work with the FCT administration was for the interest of FCT residents.
Recall that the Minister of State of the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, had stated that the administration had recorded significant achievements in transforming the FCT, barely three weeks of Wike resuming office.
As for the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Mr. Ahmed Hadi, he pointed out that a substantial number of the roads in Phase 1, which were developed as early as 1980, has deteriorated. He added that the project would involve scarification and removal of the existing asphalt in some locations, while in other places, it would need only asphalt overlay.
He explained that the 135 roads in Wuse, Garki, as well as some areas in Asokoro and Maitama would also be involved, covering 42 kilometers, adding that upon completion, there will be improved traffic flow and reduction in travel time, including more safety on the roads.
