The Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
has frowned at the slow pace of work on the Karshi-Ara-Apo Road which was
awarded in 2011 to an indigenous company, Katar Civil Engineering Limited.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi expressed
dissatisfaction when he led members of the committee on an oversight visit to
some road projects across the territory.
Also on the visit was the Minister of the FCT, Malam
Muhammad Bello and that of State for the FCT, Mrs Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu.
Expressing his dissatisfaction, Senator Adeyemi said “You
have betrayed the confidence of the funding. It is just inexplicable.
“I came here in 2013 you gave us the same promise. When an
indigenous company decides to betray the trust, you will justify why indigenous
companies should not be patronised.”
He said the delay was going to cost the country more than it
should have expended on the road.
“If I were the Minister, I will revoke this job. I will ask
them to refund to government. If you can’t do the job why did you take the job?
Why did you bid for it?
“We don’t have to pretend to ourselves and pretend to speak
the truth. A job that was awarded in 2011 and up till now you are still where
you are.
“You have been provided with the funding. You have no
excuse. If you have been provided enough funding and you are finding it
difficult to recover the money paid to you. You are a disappointment to the
indigenous company. You have failed the nation”.
Adeyemi further invited the contractor to appear before the
committee on Thursday.
He, however, said the oversight was aimed at assessing the
level of ongoing projects in the territory.
“We will be passing two budgets before the end of the year.
Putting them together will be over N1 trillion.
“It makes sense for us to see the state of development so
that by the time we are looking at the budget we have in mind those projects
that are vital that will enhance economic growth and infrastructure development
of the FCT and the security of the territory.”
On her part, the Minister of State for the FCT, Ramatu
Tijjani Aliyu said practically, the job was very slow.
“And so long as it continues at that pace, it will always
call for variation. And provided we keep doing that, the question is when will
it be put to use?
“So it has to do with the capacity of the contractor as
well. I urge the Senate to also invite him for dialogue.
“We have paid more than enough to have much more than we are
seeing on ground.
“You doing too slowly and with the economic situation, we
can’t afford that.
“Time is of the essence. I hope you know democracy and power
are transient. We have a few months to go.
“You will give your words to the national assembly. What
else do you require to complete this job within a short time frame even if it
means you adding more to your capacity by bringing in some other people.
“We are not asking for another lie of time. But you will
come to the national assembly to discuss,” she said.
Managing Director of the company, Mr. Robert Arzibola said
the Karshi-Ara axis is located towards the South-Eastern part of the Federal
Capital City (FCC).
“It is the access road between Karshi Satellite Town and Ara
Settlement in Nasarawa State while Karshi-Apo axis of the road is located
within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Arzibola who was represented by the Engineer, Mr. Ezekiel
Panan said no administration had funded the project the way the present
administration has done.
“We are very grateful. However, part of the delay was
funding. But when the present Minister assumed office, all our liabilities you
settled them.”
He also said the high prices of materials had been a
challenge which has hindered the progress of the project.
Other sites visited were the Wasa affordable Housing Site in
AMAC, Wasa Resettlement Site and Karshi Treatment Plant.
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