Aljazirah Nigeria News: Wike Frowns At Slow Pace Of Pai-Gomani Road Project
Published on: 12/01/2025
By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike expressed his displeasure over the noticeable slow pace of work on the ongoing Pai-Gomani road project in Kwali Area Council of the nation’s capital.
Wike made this observation on Saturday while on an inspection visit to the 15km road project which connects remote communities in the area council to the Abuja/ Lokoja Expressway.
The Minister noted that the 15-kilometer Pai-Gomani road project was awarded before the A2 to Pai section of the road of the same length, which has since been completed and commissioned, frowning at the delay and non-performance by the contractor.
He also expressed serious frustration over the issue of unauthorized cost variation on the project, lamenting that the purported variation amount was nearly equivalent to the original project cost, which exceeded his ministerial approval limit.
According to the Minister, “Frankly speaking, I’m not too impressed. That road was awarded before the A2 to Pai, and we have commissioned that. It appears there isn’t much communication between the STDD and the contractor.
“There appears to be issues of variation, and I am not too comfortable with that, and when we go back, we will look at that, and those who did not do what they are supposed to do will have to be sanctioned because people believe that you can go ahead without certain approvals. I don’t have the power to give that kind of approval when it comes to that kind of amount of money”.
The Minister warned that any official within the Satellite Town Development Department (STDD) found culpable for carrying out work or recommending variations without following the required approval process will be sanctioned.
He said, “The Satellite Town Development did not seek approval because the amount I was told is almost the same amount that the original cost was awarded and you know I don’t have such power.
“That contract was awarded by the Federal Executive Council, so it is beyond my power, and for you to get that, you have to write to the President to get approval for variation, and then you go back to Department of Public Procurement to approve the cost, and then you go back to the Federal Executive Council for the final approval. That’s why I said those who carried it out without seeking for approval, will have to be sanctioned.”
Despite the setback on the Pai-Gomani road, the Minister revealed the award of a new contract for 13 kilometres Gomani to Yangoji road to be carried out by Zeberced Construction Company which also executed the A2-Pai road project.
He expressed confidence in the capacity of the contractor to deliver a good job in time for the third anniversary celebration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike made this observation on Saturday while on an inspection visit to the 15km road project which connects remote communities in the area council to the Abuja/ Lokoja Expressway.
The Minister noted that the 15-kilometer Pai-Gomani road project was awarded before the A2 to Pai section of the road of the same length, which has since been completed and commissioned, frowning at the delay and non-performance by the contractor.
He also expressed serious frustration over the issue of unauthorized cost variation on the project, lamenting that the purported variation amount was nearly equivalent to the original project cost, which exceeded his ministerial approval limit.
According to the Minister, “Frankly speaking, I’m not too impressed. That road was awarded before the A2 to Pai, and we have commissioned that. It appears there isn’t much communication between the STDD and the contractor.
“There appears to be issues of variation, and I am not too comfortable with that, and when we go back, we will look at that, and those who did not do what they are supposed to do will have to be sanctioned because people believe that you can go ahead without certain approvals. I don’t have the power to give that kind of approval when it comes to that kind of amount of money”.
The Minister warned that any official within the Satellite Town Development Department (STDD) found culpable for carrying out work or recommending variations without following the required approval process will be sanctioned.
He said, “The Satellite Town Development did not seek approval because the amount I was told is almost the same amount that the original cost was awarded and you know I don’t have such power.
“That contract was awarded by the Federal Executive Council, so it is beyond my power, and for you to get that, you have to write to the President to get approval for variation, and then you go back to Department of Public Procurement to approve the cost, and then you go back to the Federal Executive Council for the final approval. That’s why I said those who carried it out without seeking for approval, will have to be sanctioned.”
Despite the setback on the Pai-Gomani road, the Minister revealed the award of a new contract for 13 kilometres Gomani to Yangoji road to be carried out by Zeberced Construction Company which also executed the A2-Pai road project.
He expressed confidence in the capacity of the contractor to deliver a good job in time for the third anniversary celebration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.