By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed displeasure over demand for contract variation by Setraco Nigeria Ltd.
Wike threatened to stop the ongoing construction of Ring road 1 segment of the Southern Parkway, connecting Area 11, Central Area, Area 3 and Durumi as well as Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway axis of the nation’s capital.
He made this known during inspection of some road projects on Wednesday.
The minister reiterated that issue of variation is not on the table, as it would not be accepted by the FCT Administration under his watch.
He said from the records, h FCTA have paid 97% for the project, but the company has failed to provide street lights, and upon inquiry, the company’s Managing Director talked about variation on the contract.
He added that the FCTA and Setraco along with other construction companies handling FCT projects had agreed on the funding pattern, which it have not failed to follow so far.
According to him, “Remember when I came on board, I had to call most 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 97%.
“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 in 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; and 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 will when you have failed us on the first phase. So issue of variation is not our table, as it would not be accepted.”
He however, said what Setraco was doing is quite comprehensive, which will change the landscape of that area, adding “the quality of the job that the company is carrying out is good.”
On his part, the Managing Director, Setraco Nigeria Ltd, Ziad Mouannes, who received the Minister and his encourage, insisted that the company be given the opportunity to have a meeting with the officials of the FCTA to discuss and settle the matter of contention.
Mouannes said the company remains committed to the project, hence it was open for further engagement with the FCTA, in order to reconcile and rectify the street light issue.
