Wike To Blacklist Contractors Over Cost Variation

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has threatened to blacklist contractors over failure to complete projects with all the necessary facilities including streetlights before May 29, 2024.

Wike gave the warning yesterday to Setraco Nigeria Limited after the inspection of some ongoing road projects in the Federal Capital City (FCC).

He told the contractor that seeking for increase in payment due to inflation of building materials was not acceptable.

The minister stated that the current administration will not accept any form of variation from any contractor, especially after paying 97 per cent of agreed funds.

“When I came on board, I had to call most of these companies and I asked them, will you be able to complete these projects? So that it may be inaugurated as part of Mr. president’s 1st year anniversary, and they agreed, then I said okay.

“We agreed on the funding pattern, and as far as FCT is concerned from the records, I have paid not less than 97 percent of the Ring Road 1 project which was awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited.

“When I asked about the street lights they talked about variation and I will never accept that because we funded the project very well without any failure on our part.

“I have categorically said that there cannot be any variation under the project and if they don’t complete it on time, I am going to blacklist the company,” he said.

The minister said that nobody will play with them or try to outsmart them because they are not going to accept it, and that the managing director knows that they are serious about it.