…threatens to blacklist company
By Sarah NEGEDU
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has threatened to blacklist the construction company handling the Ring Road 1 segment of the Southern Parkway, for failing to include the provision for streetlights as part of safety and aesthetic features of the road.
Wike, made the threat following a request by Setraco Nigeria Ltd for a contract variation on the ongoing construction of the road connecting Area 11, Central Area, Area 3 and Durumi as well as Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway.
The minister, who issued the threat Wednesday during an inspection of some road projects, insisted that the FCT Administration will not entertain such requests since it had made adequate funding for projects.
According to the minister, the FCTA paid 97percent for the project after an agreement on a funding pattern was reached between FCTA, Setraco and other construction companies, adding that the FCTA has not bridged that agreement.
In his words, “Remember when I came on board, I had to call most of these companies, and I asked them; will you be able to complete some of these projects, as part of our President’s one year anniversary since he was inaugurated? We agreed on the funding pattern, and I can authoritatively tell you that we have not failed.
“When I asked them about the street lights, he (the company’s Managing Director) talked about variation. From the records that I have, we have paid 97percent.
“Of course, you know I will never accept that, because we have funded the project very well without any failure on our part. I have told them categorically clear that there cannot be any variation on that project.
“And if they don’t complete on time, I’m going to blacklist the company. That”s the truth of the matter. Nobody will toy with us. Nobody will try to out smart us, we are not going to accept it.
“The Managing Director was there, and he knows we are serious about it. What they agreed in the first phase, but they are asking for the second phase, then how would we, when you have failed us on the first phase. So issue of variation is not our table, as it would not be accepted.”
On his part, the Managing Director, Setraco Nigeria Ltd, Ziad Mouannes, appealed that the company be given the opportunity to have a meeting with officials of the FCTA to discuss and settle the issue in contention.
He said the company remains committed to the project, and so open for further engagement in order to reconcile and rectify the street light issue.
Meanwhile, other projects sites visited by the Minister include the Provision of Engineering Infrastructure to Guzape Lot II, Provision of roads and engineering infrastructure to the new layout and Diplomatic area as Phase II Contract of the ongoing Guzape Lot II District Infrastructure, as well as the full scope development of the Arterial Road N 20 from Northern Parkway to the Outer Northern Expressway, ONEX, also known as the Kubwa Expressway.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the progress and assured that the projects would be completed by May this year to mark the President’s one-year in office.
“We saw what Setraco is doing (Southern Parkway from Christian Centre to Ring Road I). It’s quite comprehensive and that will change the landscape of that area and I’m happy with the quality of the job that the company is carrying out.
“Then we went to Guzape where Gilmor is doing. If you look at the Diplomatic area, it’s quite interesting. I’m sure people will like to live there. It’s a hilly area and it’s quite interesting the nature of infrastructure that Gilmor is providing.
“We then went to Guzape II where all of us climbed and saw the blasting of the rocks to pave the way for the road. I had never taken that look before. It’s to appreciate the enormity of the job. But to the glory of God, the company has committed itself that they will finish by May, and again we are happy.
“Then we are now in N20. You can also see the quality of work they are doing, the same Gilmor. For me it’s a thing to be happy”.
