FCT Minister, contractor to explain N257m inflated contract

By Tordue Salem
ABUJA—The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of  the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Bala Muhammed, officials of the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority, FCDA, and contractors for the N257.1billion Airport road contract, alleged by the Green Chamber to have been inflated by FCT Ministry.

After passing a motion sponsored by Mr. Dino Melaye on the allegation a fortnight ago, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Dimeji Bankole,  raised an eight-man ad hoc committee led by Deputy Minority Leader, Suleiman Sumaila to ascertain the veracity of the allegations.

A statement signed by Mr. Kawu yesterday, read that “Within the next few days, all contractors handling the projects and those who submitted quotation for the contract, agencies of government involved in the award and execution of the projects as well as relevant Government Agencies and any other persons that can in anyway assist the ad hoc committee to succeed in its endeavours in the investigation would be called upon to testify”.

The House of Representatives, at its plenary session on 18 May had passed a motion that mandated the investigation of Onex and Abuja Airport Road Project at N257, 169, 337, 985.

The committee is to re-evaluate the project, re-measure the distance of the road, determine a more realistic market driven price.

The prayers of the motion which were unanimously adopted, also sought a revocation of the revocation of the contract on the slight discovery that it was inflated to swindle tax payers.