FCTA Approves N33bn Contracts for Presidential Wing Hangar, Kitchen, EFCC Road,Others

* AMMC arrests 16 for vandalising Abuja street lights

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has approved 10 memorandums for contracts totalling N33,179,004.998 for the rehabilitation of Presidential Wing hangar and kitchen; the provision of the access road to new EFCC Academy site at Giri District Abuja, in addition to 10 staff quarters at the Nigeria Law School, Bwari, among other critical contracts.

The contracts were approved yesterday by the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Executive Council (FCT-EXCO) headed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The Executive Secretary FCDA, Shehu Hadi Ahmad; Mandate Secretary, Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Elechi; Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Chidi Amadi, and Secretary, Legal Services Secretariat, Salman Dako,  addressed reporters after the meeting.

Ahmad said the contract for the provision of the access road to the EFCC Academy site was awarded to Messrs Levant Construction Limited at the sum of N7.8 billion with a completion period of nine months.
The council also approved a second memo for the rehabilitation and construction of roads in disrepair within the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

This was in addition to the rehabilitation of the facilities around, including the apron, the Presidential Wing’s taxiway as well as the presidential kitchen within the presidential wing.
Ahmad said those facilities had shown signs of distress and dilapidation and needed to be rehabilitated.
“There is no access from the road that is coming from the main road (Bill Clinton Drive) into that place.
“We have decided to also rehabilitate that road, as well as rehabilitate the hangar, that is housing the presidential aircraft.

“These are some of the facilities that are to be done, and then there are some lights, the runway lights, on the side of the presidential wing. These two are included in part of what has to be done. Then there is a guest house, a holding centre for visiting presidents and of course, for the other usage,” Ahmad said.
He said the contract for the renovation at the Presidential Wing was awarded at N9.8 billion to Julius Berger with a completion period of six months.

Equally approved was a memo for the award of contract for the Design and Construction of 10 staff Quarters for the Nigeria Law School in Bwari Abuja at the sum of N2.1 billion to Messrs Austlinks Energy Services Limited.
The quarters comprise four-bedroom bungalow houses, in addition to the general networking of external roads network within the quarters, as well as provision of water and other facilities and drainages.

Also approved was a contract for the supply of Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) and premium Motor Spirit (Petro) at Wupa Basin Sewage Treatment Plant at the sum of N2 billion to

Messrs Safah & Fresh International Ltd for a period of 12 months, covering January 1 to  December 31, 2023.

Elechi said the Council also approved the contract in the sum of N7.2 billion to Messrs Planet Projects Limited for constructing access road to Kugbo and Mabushi Bus/Taxi Terminals as additional works.The contract has a time line of 12 weeks.

Amadi said the FCT Exco approved for the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, (AMMC) a contract for the provision of all-in-one solar lights at various locations within the FCT to be handled by various contractors and a memo for the award of contract for the supply of 400,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil to Lower Usuma Dam Water Treatment Plant of the FCT Water Board at a contract sum of N638,550 delivery period of three months.

The FCTA also awarded a contract to  Messrs Gerald Chris Nigeria Limited and Messrs Didi & Isabel Resources Ltd for the procurement of seven utility vehicles for the Legal Services Secretariat at a contract sum of N485 million as well as contract for the procurement of office equipment and furnishing of new office for the Legal Services Secretariat to Messrs Ken-Mida Global Concept Lid at the contract sum of N120 million with a completion period of two weeks.

Meanwhile, AMMC has arrested 16 suspects following a crackdown on the ongoing vandalism of street lights and other infrastructure across Abuja.

AMMC Coordinator, Felix Obuah, confirmed the development, while briefing journalists on the development in Abuja during a parade of some of the suspects.

He said that alone within the last one week, five suspects were arrested, while two others evaded capture.

He had earlier confirmed the arrest and handling over of an expatriate to the police for vandalism of street poles and cable.

Obuah emphasised the importance of public vigilance and media collaboration, stating, “Security is everyone’s responsibility. We’ve enlisted the support of local vigilantes and hunters, which led to today’s arrests.”

He warned that any individuals involved in vandalising government property, including both vandals and buyers, would face legal action.

The intensified efforts of AMMC came amid rising concerns about damage to new solar-powered street lights, which were recently installed to improve public safety and visibility at night.

The contractor of the solar installations, Aderemi Rashid, reported that some equipments were stolen despite anti-theft measures in place.

“The equipment used suggests a level of sophistication beyond ordinary miscreants,” Rashid noted, hinting at possible involvement of well-equipped perpetrators.