By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike has threatened to revoke contracts of any contractor who fails to perform or have the capacity to do the job.
Wike said this on Tuesday at the flag- off of the resurfacing of 182 roads and remedial works on bridges in Maitama, Garki and Utako Districts of the FCT.
The minister said that he does not a problem with the issue of local content but supports local content with capacity.
“I support local content, but what I don’t support is local content without capacity. All of us would like our people to do the job but I would also not say because you are doing the job, you don’t do it well and within the time schedule. No. So, local content, whether you are white or you are black, do it well and do it within the time schedule”, he said.
Wike who emphasized on the patronage of local companies to encourage local contents said any contractor that lacks capacity to deliver according to the project specifications and mandate will meet the wrath of his government.
He therefore warned Federal Capital Development Agency FCDA, not to give work to any company that lacks capacity to execute the job, adding that the development of the FCT goes beyond political party affiliations.
He stated that the FCT Administration is working with the six Area Council Chairmen, irrespective of party differences, to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the FCT for the benefit of the people.
“What we are doing today has nothing to do with political party. What we are talking about is governance, how will the people of Abuja benefit?. Party is a vehicle that takes you to your destination. When you get to your destination, you come down and work. This is about governance.”
“That’s why today, all the Area Councils are cooperating with us. It doesn’t matter whether they are in party A or whether they are in party B because poverty or insecurity does not know the party you belong to. So, we must put our hands together and support the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President.”
Speaking further, the minister called on the residents living in high brow areas of Abuja to pay their taxes to support infrastructure development in the territory in terms of resurfacing of roads is ongoing.
He also called on residents to join hands with government for development, as he appeals with residents to ensure with the administration on any pain caused by the ongoing road rehabilitation work.
The minister who emphasized on payment of taxes to support more projects execution in the FCT called for cooperation and support of the residents for the government. He equally appealed to the residents to endure with the administration any pain the road rehabilitation work might bring.
He warned vandals who steal public infrastructure in connivance with the contractors that executed some of the projects that such vandals will have a story to tell like kidnappers and their informants.
The chairman Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC Christopher Zikka Maikalangu, told the minister that Maitama District which is an high brow ares still lacking pipe born water.
The Chairmen, Senate and House of Representatives Committees on FCT, Sen. Ibrahim Bomai and Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, both pledged the support of the National Assembly for the developmental activities of the FCT Administration.
The Sapeyi of Garki, HRH Usman Nga-Kupi likewise asked the minister to look into the abandoned construction work on Apo-Karshi road as well as matter relating to the indigenous people of FCT.
