By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has taken steps to complete the seven billion naira abandoned residence of the Vice president of the country.
Wike on Tuesday, with other senior officials of the FCT Administration Inspected the project which was awarded in 2010 but abandoned by the previous administrations .
The Minister explained that the project which was N7bn at the initial stage is almost N15bn currently, looking at inflation and the cost of building materials.
He asked the contractor handling the project, Messrs Julius Berger to complete the work before May 29th, 2024.
He therefore pledged to make fund available before December for the completion of the project having got the approval of the president and the vice president.
According to him: ” When we came here last time, bushy it was, and you made a promised to us that you will be a able to complete this project in the next eight months, even though we have not moblized you, I do know that you have confidence in us, let me assure you that we will mobilise you before December, God willing.
“Then, you have to expedite to see that this is completed before May 29th, 2024. I believe you have that capacity, I believe you don’t need to wait, you know I will not make a promise I will not fulfilled, as far as I have gotten the support of Mr President and the Vice President, I can tell you to go .
” Put everything you have so that we can achieved this, so that all these stories about abandoned projects will be a thing of the past. The man power seen shows that you are really serious, so, just go ahead, you are going to be mobilized.
In his address, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi disclosed that the project site has been captured in the original Abuja master plan.
” The original master plan of Abuja provides this site as official resident of the vice president.
“The building over there is the chapel, and the one behind us is the mosque, and a dormitory for the security personnel, right behind there there is entrance with the screening in facility for guests that would be coming into the premises. This is what the project entails, it was awarded in 2010.
Showing commitment to the completion of the project, Oliver Berger explained this it has so far cleared all the bush in the area including cleaning of Inside of the building.
“We have already mobilized our team, facilities are here, the next step is to order all the equipment required and the finishing products build up, since scheduled is been very tight, so far we are thankful for giving us this opportunity to finalise”.
