By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has expressed displeasure that a section of the ongoing rehabilitation of Abuja International Conference Centre, ICC, awarded to Julius Berger was sublet to another company without his knowledge.
Wike made this discovery during a routine visit to project sites in Abuja, yesterday.
Before his visit to ICC, he had earlier the ongoing construction of N16 road in Gishiri.
On getting to the ICC, the minister was told that the furniture for the conference hall had been sublet to another contractor by Abuja Investments Company Limited, AICL.
While interacting with journalists, he expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, but however said “You would see that we were at the International Conference Centre and work is going as expected. The only problem that we identified this afternoon has to do with the furniture that will be in the conference hall. I was surprised to hear that there is a different contractor for that, which is unacceptable to us.
“The job was given to Julius Berger entirely. I cannot have different quality. We cannot say that the floor up is furnished by Julius Berger and down is furnished by another company. It is not acceptable to me.
“I have invited Julius Berger, the executive secretary of FCDA and the managing director of Abuja Investments Company Limited to know who did that, and if anybody is found culpable, of course, I must have to apply the big stick.
“Nobody should be a sacred cow. Nobody can do something that you know is not in terms with what we have agreed.
“I am not doubting the quality of work there. What I have said is that the quality of work generally is very fine. How they removed the furnishing of the conference hall from Julius Berger is what I do not know. And that is why I summoned them to come and tell us who did that and also on whose approval.
“So when they say Abuja Investments is the one, who is going to pay for it? I am not going to accept that, and of course, you know, if anything shady goes on, you will hear that I have applied the big stick. Nobody will be a sacred cow”, he added.
Wike expressed optimism that the contractors would meet the specified deadlines, saying security reports available to him indicated that many of them have been working day and night.
“I believe, by the grace of God, they will be completed for the second anniversary of Mr President. I am sure those who live within this neighborhood are happy with what they are seeing now.”
