…As Wike Seeks Amendment Of Fct’s Procurement Act
The President of the Senate, on Friday, October 24, 2024, flagged-off the commencement of the full scope development of Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from the Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III in Abuja.
Speaking during the flag-off exercise, the President of the Senate who was represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Ibrahim Bomai, highlighted the importance of a good road network to the socio-economic development of the country and stressed that the construction of the Arterial Road N5 will not only improve the traffic situation in the area but will also boost socio-economic activities in Abuja.
Senator Akpabio also commended the ingenuity of the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwno Nyesom Wike, in improving the revenue base of the FCT and ensuring the provision of vital infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
He said, “The commissioning of the road will definitely reduce traffic and also shorten the driving time and also boost socioeconomic activities in the city. On behalf of the entire Senate, I once again commend the Hon. Minister, Minister of State and all the staff of the FCT for this milestone in the development of the FCT”.
He also reiterated the commitment of the Senate to providing the necessary support to the FCT Administration to deliver its statutory function.
Speaking earlier, the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike who disclosed that his attention was drawn to the bad state of the road and the attendant chaotic traffic situation, said its completion will alleviate the challenging traffic situation around the Life Camp axis of the FCT.
Barr. Wike while thanking members of the National Assembly for their continued support to the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT Administration, however regretted that the existing procurement law in the FCT was hindering the timely execution of projects and called for its amendment by the lawmakers.
He said the amendment of the procurement law will help to remove the bureaucratic bottlenecks that were slowing down the execution of projects in the nation’s capital.
The FCT Minister said, “Part of our predicament, part of our major headache is the procurement law. the procurement law, yes, it’s to protect and make sure our money is safe. But then if you look at the overall situation, it drags us backward.
“That’s why in most cases, you will do procurement for almost four months before it’s approved, before it goes to the Federal Executive Council and before you know it, six months is over. Six months of procurement alone is half of the year”.
Reflecting on the procurement challenges he also faced as the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Wike said he was compelled to move for the amendment of the procurement law in the State, adding that this shift in policy helped to quicken the pace infrastructure development and also eliminate the problem of contract variations.
The Minister said, “We amended the law to say that in every job we have done with Julius Berger then, we will pay 70 percent. That’s how we were able to do 12 flyovers in four years”.
The FCT Minister thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support to the FCT Administration in the execution of capital projects and called on Nigerians to continue to support and pray for the success of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the country, adding that the President was committed to addressing the ongoing hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
Speaking on efforts by the Administration to reduce hardship in the FCT, Barr. Wike said the series of infrastructure projects that commenced in the FCT in the course of the week will not only reduce travel time but will also have the ripple effect of reducing the cost of food items, in addition to creating employment for residents.
The Minister who also disclosed plans to commence the provision of infrastructure projects in Kwali, Kuje, Gwagwalada and Bwari Area Councils by next week, said, “By the time Tinubu finishes his first tenure, Abuja people will say yes, we have no choice but to continue to follow you because you have brought back our hope”.
The Executive Secretary FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, in his welcome address, explained that the Arterial Road N5 will cover a distance of about 4.4 kilometers with two carriageways of six lanes.
He said the road will provide the much-needed relief to the Old Keffi Road which connects the Lifecamp Junction up to Dei Dei in Abuja, adding that the project will also open up economic activities in the Districts of Kado, Karmo, Gwarimpa I, Dape, Ido Gwari, as well as Saburi and Dei-Dei.
Engr. Hadi added that procurement was ongoing to rehabilitate the Old Keffi Road which he said will serve as a relief while the arterial road N5 project is ongoing.
While delivering the vote of thanks at the event, Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, extended gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering support to the FCT Administration.
Dr Mahmoud, who noted that the arterial road N5 will promote economic growth and improve the quality of lives of residents, further thanked the FCT Minister and all the management team of the FCT Administration for their commitment to the development of the FCT and called for the continued support of FCT residents for the FCTA.
ANTHONY OGUNLEYE
DIRECTOR, PRESS
(OFFICE OF THE HON. MINISTER)
25/10/2024
