Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, has told staff members of the FCT Administration that the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has great confidence in him to manage the affairs of the nation’s capital well.
He warned contractors handling the rehabilitation of 135 roads and civil engineering services against contract variations.
The minister, who spoke while inaugurating a road project yesterday in Abuja, promised that the projects would be completed in six months.
According to him, the FCT will pay all the contractors their money to enable them complete the project within the agreed timeline.
Wike said: “The President has the confidence in me. That is why he sent me to the FCT. Prsident Tinubu has said we should assure you of his administration’s Renewed Hope.
“To the contractors, let me warn you now: all these things you are doing with engineering services will not work again.
“There’s nothing like variation. It will not work. One naira today but in the next seven days it becomes N15; it will not work again. So, don’t even try it. There is no variation in this job.
“We have the money to pay you. So, if you like, 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.”
The minister also warned the Permanent Secretary in the FCT Administration, Mr. Olusade Adesola, not to bring any paper with a request for reconsideration or a file for unanticipated issues.
He stressed that “everything has been considered and anticipated”.
Wike urged FCT residents to support the contractors to enable them finish the job on time.
The minister said no development can happen without some pains in the short run.
He also solicited the support of traditional rulers to ensure that youths and other categoris of people in their communities support the contractors to complete the job on time.
Wike thanked the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mr. Christopher Maikalangu, for declaring the area council chairmen’s decision to work with the FCTA for the interest of the residents.
The Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, noted that the FCTA had recorded significant achievements in transforming the capital city, barely three weeks under Mr. Project (Wike) in office.
Mahmoud said the issues surrounding streetlight had been addressed; the problem of sanitation had been settled; and the roads were being transforming to impact positively on the residents.
Also, Adesola said the projects involved the rehabilitation and resurfacing of 135 roads and remedial works on bridges in various districts of the capital city.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Mr. Muktar Betara, expressed confidence in Wike’s ability to transform the FCT.
Responding on behalf of the contractors, Chief Executive Officer of ZBMC Limited, Mr. Obada Zabadne, assured Wike of the contractors’ commitment to achieve beyond expectations and within agreed time.