The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has lamented over the rate of abandoned projects describing it as worrisome, given the importance of most of the projects.
Wike, who stated this after an inspection of some project sites in the central business district, promised to complete the construction of B6 and B12 roads, linking Constitution Avenue to City Gate, Abuja, in the next seven months.
The minister also made a commitment to complete the renovation of the Federal Secretariat within seven to eight months.
On the abandoned Millennium Tower project, the minister questioned why a project that would have positive impact on the residents of Abuja and beyond could not be completed?
The minister said he does not like giving excuses, adding that he would do the best he can to deliver some of the projects.
He directed the permanent secretary, FCT Administration, Adesola Olusade to evolve measures that will bring about quick completion of the project.
“Let us start doing something about this project before talking about partnership, if we are waiting for partners it will take us up to three years before work will start.
“It is not good to start a project that will have positive impact on the lives of people and the city and abandon it”
Wike, also said he will meet with president Bola Tinubu, over the abandoned work on the construction of residences for Vice president and residences for presiding officers of the National Assembly.
On the residence of the Vice President and presiding officers of the National Assembly, the minister said that he would report to President Tinubu to agree on a way forward.
He described the millennium building as a “very interesting facility” that ought to turn Abuja around, and bring tourists and families to have fun.
He acknowledged the challenge of funding, adding that he would sit with the Minister of State for FCT and Permanent Secretary, FCTA, to restructure how some of the projects were being funded.
He also said that another strategy he would employ was to attach funds to a specific project and complete the project instead of allocating N500 million every year to a project of over N150 billion.
“It means that in the next 20 years, you cannot complete the project. So, what is the benefit of wasting public funds? He asked.
The minister, who was accompanied by the minister of state for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud along with top management officials of the FCTA, inspected the construction of cultural centre and millennium tower at central area, proposed FCTA secretariat headquarters complex.
Other project sites visited by the minister include rehabilitation of the Federal secretariat building, phase 1, completion of roads B6, B 12 and circle road in the Abuja central area.
