21st November, 2023
By Philip Yatai
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has promised to make the needed funds available to ensure the completion of the abandoned official residence of Nigeria’s Vice President before 29, May 2024.
The FCT Minister said he has already got the approval of the President and the Vice President to ensure that the project was completed within the next eight months.
Wike, who spoke after inspecting the project in Abuja being handled by Julius Berger commended the contractor for returning to the site without mobilisation from the government.
He said that although the contractor had insisted that the contract sum be revised from N7 billion to N15 billion because of the rising cost of materials, President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to complete the project.
He promised to make the needed funds available before December to ensure completion of the project, adding that he has already secured the approval of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“When we came here last time, you promised us that you would be able to complete this project in the next eight months.
“Even though we have not mobilised you, I know that you have confidence in us, let me assure you that we will mobilise you before December God willing.
“Then, you have to rush to see that this is completed before May 29, 2024.
“Put everything you have so that we can achieve this; so that all the stories about abandoned projects will be a thing of the past,” Wike said.
Earlier, Mr Shehu Ahmed, Executive Secretary, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), said that the project as captured in the Abuja Master Plan was awarded in 2010.
The Director of Public Building, FCDA, Mr Adebowale Ademo, explained that the main building has three different living rooms on the ground floor, and also the Vice President Private Room and conveniences.
He added that the building plan also made provisions for the Second Lady Private Lounge, a Chapel, a Mosque, and a dormitory for security personnel.
“The entrance has a screen-in facility for guests that will be coming into the premises,” he added.
The representative of Julius Berger, Mr Oliver Berger, assured Wike of the timely completion of the project.