Wike re-affirms timely completion of on-going projects

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy for contractors “who cannot effectively execute projects within the FCT.”
 
Wike made the statement while addressing journalists on Friday in Abuja, shortly after a routine inspection of several critical infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and driving the economic development of the Territory.
 
The projects inspected include the ongoing construction of the 15-kilometer left side service carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from Ring Road 1 (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway) to Wasa junction as well as the one service carriageway of the Inner Southern Expressway (INEX) from Ring Road III (RRIII) to Ring Road IV (RRIV), with 15-span bridge in the Idu Industrial Area.
 
While acknowledging that the previous administration initiated the projects which had been underway for some time, he praised the contractors’ performance and capabilities, expressing confidence in their ability to deliver high-quality work.
 
Wike disclosed that previously encountered issues delaying the projects, including issues of compensation and resettlement of communities along the OSEX left hand service carriageway, as well as securing approval from the Ministry of Works for the INEX to cross over the rail line at Idu, had been addressed, paving the way for construction to proceed without further hindrance.
 
He said the contractors executing the projects had been significantly mobilised to the project sites, following the resolution of the issues and were also committed to completing the projects and handing them over by May, this year. 
 
He said, “The one of Apo (The 15 kilometer left hand service carriageway of the OSEX from RR1 to Wasa junction), the contractor, CGC has said that they will speed up work to complete it by May. What took time has to do with compensation issues and resettlement of the communities on the road corridor. But now that that has been done, they have mobilised seriously.”