Wike Orders Payment To Companies Handling Projects

By Remi Johnson

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, ahead of May 29th, has ordered the immediate payment of all companies handling various construction and road projects in the territory.

This is because the Ministry of Finance has released N50 billion out of the 100bilion supplementary budget to FCTA to fund ongoing capital projects.

Wike who made this known in Abuja, shortly after an inspection of some critical projects in the FCT, expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far which he said would be commissioned to mark Mr President’s one year in office.

The amount, according to the minister, is 50 percent of FCT’s N100 billion 2023 supplementary budget approved by the National Assembly.

According to the minister, directive has been given to the Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola to immediately pay contractors handling the projects to ensure timely delivery, even as he vowed to complete all ongoing projects.

“We are quite hopeful, we are quite convinced that they would keep to the time as agreed.We are happy with what we have seen, and we will continue to do things to the satisfaction of the residents of Abuja and assured them that the renewed hope agenda is not a mere talk. So, it is a promise and a promise kept”.

“I am happy to announce to you that the Ministry of Finance has released 50 per cent of the national supplementary budget.We have also gotten assent to the FCT Statutory Budget, which again, has given us hope that no project will be left uncompleted as promised.”

Responding to questions on challenges that may delay the delivery of the projects before May 29th, Wike agreed that there were challenges, but assured that the challenges were not insurmountable, considering the enormous support from Mr President.

“We believe that the arrangements made by the contractors will enable us to commission the projects to celebrate Mr President’s one year in office,” Wike assured.

One of the projects inspected is the Outer Southern Expressway, which stretched from A.A Rano, through Deeper Life Junction, SARS, Apo roundabout to Wasa District being handled by a Chinese firm.

Wike also inspected the Northern N-20 Expressway in Jahi District and the Vice President’s residence.

The Area Manager of the Chinese firm, Yong Hong, assured the minister that the Outer Southern Expressway would be delivered before May 29th.

Also, representative of the firm handling the Vice President’s residence, Mr Oliver Berger, noted that the team had done a lot of work so far and promised to deliver a quality job.

Edited By Grace Namiji