Wike slams Chinese Coy over delays on road project, threatens revocation
Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has slammed contractors responsible for the delayed construction of the left hand service carriageway of the 15-kilometre Outer Southern Expressway OSEX from Ring Road 1 (RRI) to Wasa Junction.
The minister also challenged underperforming contractors to work according to timelines or risk contract revocation.
Speaking on Friday during a site inspection, Wike knocked China Geo-Engineering Corporation CGC for its failure to meet work projections.
He expressed utmost dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work despite receiving over 80% of the contract sum.
He said; “Very bad, I am not encouraged. Yesterday, my attention was drawn when I went to inspect the Apo-Karshi road, which took us through Wassa. I passed through this area and tried to find out where CGC is working, one of the respected companies, as far as I am concerned. But regarding this road, I am not happy.”
Wike noted that despite promises of progress, the contractor had barely completed 50% of the work.
“We have paid over 80 percent of this contract, and as far as I am concerned, they have not done the work”, he stated.
Consequently, the minister summoned the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA and CGC for an emergency meeting, ordering the contractor to commit to completing the project by May 2025.
“Let them go and commit themselves and tell us by May they are going to finish this project. That’s the only way I am going to accept it,” Wike declared.
Warning underperforming contractors, Wike said; “We don’t have any relationship with non-performing contractors. If you don’t perform, we kick you out. There is no sentiment about whether you are an indigenous contractor or foreign contractor, we don’t care. You can’t just collect our money and think we will let you go. No. When we kick you out, we make you pay for it.”
