..contracts approval to open up new districts across FCT
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Executive Secretary of Federal Capital Development Administration, (FCDA), Engineer Shehu Ahmad today disclosed that the renovation of the National Assembly Complex which was awarded at the cost of N30.2 billion has so far gulped N19 billion.”
Engineer Ahmad disclosed this to Journalists on Tuesday at the FCDA Executive Management Committee Media briefing on the Abuja Masterplan.
He said the renovation project which is 60% completed was approved by the president in 2020 but the amount was released in 2022.
Ahmad said, “the renovation of the 9th National Assembly contract was awarded at the cost of N30.2 billion in 2022 following President Buhari’s approval, the money was released in 2022.”
“We have so far spent N19 billion naira on the renovation which is expected to be completed in August, 2023.”
He also said,”Infrastructure development is not a bane of Abuja alone, but a national problem. As it is,ad funding for infrastructure in Nigeria currently runs into trillions of naira and Abuja, as we all know gets funding for infrastructure projects from national budget which is not enough.”
“That is why the FCT Administration is engaging private sector through the land for infrastructure swap like we have in Gwagwa District and we are looking at other Districts like Buru Shareti where we have expressed interest.”
According to Ahmad, through the goodwill of the FCT Minister, several efforts have started to changed the trend in the delivery of infrastructure to help realize the dreams of the founding fathers of the city, adding that with more political will, a lot can still be done towards the inclusive and rapid development of the city.
Furthermore, he disclosed that almost about 18 projects proposals are before the Federal Executive Council (FEC), out of which nine are being processed as approvals have been given for award of contracts, which are going to be delivered in the phase of sequence, in line with the policy of executing infrastructure of most impact on the city.
Meanwhile, Ahmad disclosed that on Monday, it got FEC’s approval for the revised estimated total cost of the contract for the construction and equipping of 220-Bed Gwarimpa District Hospital (Phase I) at Plot 79 Sector Centre E, Gwarimpa District, Abuja, awarded to Messrs Mabelt Construction Company Limited at the total cost of
N5,652,680,046.09.
He hinted the approval for the revised estimated contract for the construction of three Solid Waste Transfer Stations at Mpape, Apo and Kubwa in the FCT, awarded to Messrs Goodness International Resources Limited, at the total cost of N6,230,103,458.37.
Similarly, he disclosed approval for the Award of contract for the provision of Electric Power and Water supply to Apo-Tafyi Federal Integrated Staff Housing site, awarded to Messrs Olivec Ventures Limited, at the total cost of N3,578,679,582.19.
Approval for the award of contract for the construction of Access Road and Car Park for Abuja Light Rail at Stadium and Kukwaba Stations, awarded to Messrs Datum Construction Engineering Limited N4,600,479,947.25 at the cost, he disclosed.
“Approval for the award of contract for the construction of Access Road and Car Park for Abuja Light Rail at Stadium and Kukwaba Stations.
“Approval for the Award of contract for the construction of 15km Road from A2 Junction(Abuja- Lokoja Road) to Pai in Kwali Area Council, FCT, awarded to Messrs COAN (West Africa) Limited, at the cost of N11,584,613,858,.61.”
“Approval for the award of contract for the construction of Ring Roads Roads Nanda- Pandagi- Dangara- Agyena Road, FCT Abuja, awarded to Messrs COAN (West Africa)Limited, at the cost of N9,133,302,039.00”.
Ahmad however said that the process of contract procurement are sometimes delayed because the FCDA wants to get it right in development delivery.
