By OKECHUKWU PEACE
Reptiles now roam freely in what was supposed to be the official residence of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after the N7 billion project became abandoned by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). Weeds have also overtaken the premises while the locked gates is already showing signs of wear and tear.
Awarded by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s, the moribund N7 billion worth project became stalled in 2013 after the refusal of the last Senate to accept a contract inflation sum by N9 billion.
The Nation is reporting that the builders have not been fully paid despite the release of the N7billion while 80 per cent completiin is yet to be achieved.
Information revealed that the contract was awarded in 2009 at N7billion. But in 2012, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Sen. Bala Mohammed, came with a request for N9billion more to complete the project.
The variation was expected to accommodate a helipad but that attracted public outrage.
FCDA Executive Secretary Adamu Ismail later told the Senate Committee on FCT that the proposed additional N9 billion was slashed to about N6 billion by the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP).
He said the variation was also meant to provide furniture, fencing, two additional protocol guest houses, a banquet hall and security gadgets.
The then Senate Committee on FCT, led by Senator Smart Adeyemi, however, rejected the request for the variation, which was more than 100 per cent.
Adeyemi said either N13 billion or N14 billion or N16 billion for the project was “indefensible”.
A source said: “The construction of the VP’s residence has been abandoned by the FCDA since the Senate turned down the demand for variation.
“Despite the Senate Committee’s position, the former FCT Minister presented a memo to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) but ex-President Jonathan said the nation cannot afford 120 per cent variation.
“The former FEC resolved to complete the project within available budget. This is why the project is stalled. Definitely, we have a case of abandoned contract at hand.
“The same abandonment is applicable to the new residences of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.”
A representative of the construction company, Julius Berger Plc, refused to speak with our correspondent last night.
The source said: “Go to those who gave out the job please.”
A presidency source, said: “The uncompleted residence of the Vice President was not included in the handover note on the pending issues at the Presidential Villa.
“I think it might be part of the report of the FCDA. But it is sad that we have to cope with an abandoned project even at the seat of power.”
The Jonathan administration left N8.185, 575,211.50 debts at the Presidential Villa.
