Wike queries FCTA’s N85bn Wasa housing project contract

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has queried the agreement entered into by officials of the FCT Administration in the N85 billion affordable housing project in Wasa area of Abuja.

During a project tour on Monday to Wasa, Wike queried the agreement that the FCDA provide infrastructure while the developers build affordable housing and sell to the masses without any benefit to the government.

Wike said it would have been reasonable for government to get 10 percent of proceeds after providing funding while the developers get 90 percent.

He said, “Government provides land and infrastructure, then the private sector build and make money while government makes nothing, who did that?

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“This arrangement is not acceptable, government can take, say, 10 percent, while the private sector take 90 percent.

“ The rate is equally not affordable for the masses. We will look at all these. We will not award contracts for awarding sake.

‘’The contract for the project was given in 2014 to Gilmor Construction Company at the cost of N28 billion and was reviewed in 2018 to N85 billion.

So far, N21 billion has been paid while N64 billion is outstanding. The project has so far attained 24.5 percent completed after nine years.

City & Crime reports that at inception, the affordable houses were designed as one bedroom and two bedrooms flats, with the two bedrooms to cost N7 million.

In Kabusa community where some shanties were pulled down before the visit, Wike expressed satisfaction with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board for clearing the shanties.

The road side market and the slum settlement was demolished early hours of Monday morning before the visit of the minister.

“We will not allow shanties to take over Abuja. Development Control Department has done well. We will now protect the place so that miscreants will not return to the place.