Wike Blows Hot Over ICC Contract Outsourcing

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed displeasure over variation in the ongoing rehabilitation of the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC), awarded to Julius Berger in April 2024.

During an inspection visit to the project site in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike, who commended Julius Berger for the quality and pace of work, however, discovered that the furnishing of the conference hall had been outsourced to another company.

The minister, who noted that the rehabilitation contract was meant to be a comprehensive package handled solely by Julius Berger, queried the deviation and summoned officials from Julius Berger, Abuja Investment Company Ltd (AICL), and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to explain the situation.

“The work was going as expected, the only problem we identified this afternoon has to do with the furniture that will be in the conference hall.

“I was surprised to hear that there is a different contractor for that, which is unacceptable to us. The job was given to Julius Berger entirely. I cannot have different qualities,” Wike said

“So, when they say Abuja Investment is the one, who is going to pay for it?” he asked.

He further said, “I am not going to accept that, and of course, you know, if anything shoddy went on, you will hear that I have applied the big stick. Nobody will be a sacred cow.”

He reiterated that having two different contractors furnish various sections of the same building was not only unacceptable but also a potential threat to the quality and integrity of the overall project.

“Nobody should do something that he knows is not in tandem with what we have agreed,” Wike warned.

The minister also visited other ongoing infrastructure projects in the FCT, including the Interchange at NICON Junction and the construction of Shehu Shagari Way (N16), which will connect to Wole Soyinka Way.

He expressed satisfaction with the pace and standard of work, and assured residents that the projects would be completed and inaugurated by May as scheduled.

He reaffirmed the FCT administration’s commitment to delivering quality infrastructure, adding that the government would continue to ensure the timely completion of critical projects across the territory.