By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has directed the contractor of abandoned N6.4 billion Apo-Karshi road project to resume work.
He gave the directive after inspection of the 13.25 kilometre road on Tuesday.
Wike who lamented that despite spending 86 per cent of the amount on the project it has been abandoned due to political interest, pledged that the project will be completed in six months.
According to him, it is unfortunate that work on a project that was awarded thirteen years has been stopped without cognate reason.
Wike said, “The situation here is very unfortunate and that is why people have lost confidence in government. This is why this present government with the Renewed Hope Agenda is bringing back that confidence to people.
“I can’t believe that for the past 13 years this project was awarded. First of all, I don’t see a reason why we should do road from Karshi to Arah, which is in Nassarawa state, that means it is an interstate road. Interstate road has to do with federal government. FCT cannot fund an interstate road except it becomes a joint venture. Therefore, I am not going to waste the resources of FCT to do interstate road.
“I’m happy that this new administration of Renewed Hope Agenda, will do everything possible to see that the Karshi to Apo road is completed but my doubt is about the capacity of the contractor.
“I want to urge the contractor, it will no longer be business as usual. I don’t care who you are. I don’t care where you come from. You must show that you will be serious. In the next few weeks, i want to see your equipment on ground before funds would be released. I will not release funds to you, when I have not seen your capacity. So they must move their equipment to the site and then they can convince me. But I can tell you here that I am not happy. This is not what citizens bargained for.
“I was told that another company was awarded to this aspect of the road, and I am going to invite the company back. Look at how they awarded the jobs, you can see the political interest in the whole thing, and again with the connivance of the staff of the STDD. They are part of the culprits, it is unfortunate but I would take this road as a personal project now, to make sure that we complete this road.
“I want to appeal to the communities to bear with us, that the renewed hope agenda will be serious and do things for them that they will be happy at the end of the day. That is why we are here”.
