By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has again reassured that the ongoing work on the N15 billion Vice President official residence would be completed and ready for use next month..
Wike, who gave the assurance when he inspected the project at the weekend, said other ongoing infrastructure projects in the FCT, scheduled to be completed by May, next month would also be actualised and opened for public use, thereby making the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu a reality in the FCT.
The minister said the projects would showcase the President’s achievements within his first year in office, in fulfillment of the promises he made to Nigerians.
Recall that the construction of the new Vice President residence was awarded at the initial cost of N7 billion in 2010, but the project was abandoned. However, the project was reawarded in 2023 by the present FCT administration at the cost to N15 billion.
Wike told journalists after inspecting the project, Wike assured that the official residence of the Vice President under construction would not obstruct the flow of traffic when completed.
He said the design and conceptualisation of the project by the Federal Government took into consideration the flow of traffic around the area, adding that the construction work is being carried out according to specification.
Wike further disclosed that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) also made its input into the project and that the FCDA and the contractor executing the project have also made the necessary adjustments.
According him, “Those who designed the Vice President’s residence know why. We are not the ones who designed it. It was the Federal Government that decided that the Vice President’s residence should be located here. So, I’m sure they considered everything before deciding that.
We have invited the office of the NSA and they have taken a look and made their input which the FCDA and the contractor, Julius Berger has taken into cognizance and made amendments. So, for traffic concerns, I don’t think it’s a problem”.
