Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has called for an urgent meeting with senior officials from his administration and representatives of Julius Berger, the contractor handling the rehabilitation of the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.
The directive followed allegations that a part of the contract was outsourced to another company without the minister’s consent.
Wike, during an inspection of the ICC and the N16 road in Gishiri in the FCT, discovered that the furniture for the conference hall had been subcontracted to a different contractor by the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL).
The minister, while expressing satisfaction with the overall quality of the ongoing work, expressed disapproval of the unexpected subcontracting.
“You would see that we were at the International Conference Centre; the 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 qualities. 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,” he said.
The minister then directed the management of Julius Berger, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, and the Managing Director of AICL to clarify the situation and determine who authorised the subcontracting.
He warned that if anyone is found responsible, he would take action. “Nobody should be a sacred cow. Nobody can do something that you know is not in terms with what we have agreed.”
While reinforcing his confidence in the quality of the work being executed, Wike pointed out, “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. I am not going to accept that, and of course, you know, if anything shady went on, you will hear that I have applied the big stick,” he said.
Wike said he remains optimistic that all contractors will meet their deadlines, noting that security reports suggest many have been labouring tirelessly.
“I believe, by the grace of God, they are meeting up for the second anniversary of Mr. President. Quality job done. I congratulate them and assure them that on our part, we will do all we can to make sure the job is completed on schedule. We have no problem about that,” he said.
