The Senate has asked the construction firm, handling the N30b renovation work at the National Assembly (NASS), Visible Concept, to speed up the completion of the projects.
This was coming just as the site Engineer of Visible Concept, handling the renovation work of the Complex, Engineer Tajudeen Olanipekun demanded more mobilisation funds in the presence of the Executive Secretary of Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Shehu Hadi Ahmad during an on the spot assessment of the projects by Senate Committee on FCT.
FCDA had in March this year awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of critical segments like the Hallowed Chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Dome in the White House as well as the construction of the office of National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and Library at the cost of N30bilion due to serious dilapidation of the Complex.
Contractors handling the projects which were to be delivered in phases between January and August 2023, were given N9b mobilisation fee as disclosed by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello in June this year during the first on-the-spot assessment visit made on it by the Senate Committee on FCT.
But at the second on-the-spot assessment visit carried out by Senator Smart Adeyemi led committee on Saturday, members of the committee were disappointed with the slow pace of work.
Senator Adeyemi said though the renovation works being carried out at both chambers were commendable but the slow pace of work is very worrisome.
He pointedly told the contractor that, except for a miracle, the January 2023 deadline for delivery of transformed Hallowed Chambers, will not be feasible.
“This project must not be abandoned in any way. The Hallowed Chambers are expected to be completed and delivered by the end of January 2023.