Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
Federal Lawmakers have expressed their dissatisfaction over the inability of the contractors handling the renovation of the National Assembly, Visible Concept, to deliver on the first phase of the exercise.
The legislators noted with regret that despite an initial mobilisation of N9bn by the Federal Capital Development Authority, the project remained uncompleted after exceeding the date of delivery.
Due to the serious dilapidation of the National Assembly Complex, the FCDA in March 2022, awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of critical segments of the complex for renovation.
The project covered 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 the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and Library at the cost of N30bn.
The contractors handling the projects had promised to deliver them in phases between January and August 2023.
The Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, led by its Chairman, Senator Smart Adeyemi, at an assessment visit, expressed worry over the slow pace of the work.
Adeyemi said though the renovation works being carried out at both chambers were commendable, the slow pace of work was very worrisome.
He said, “Except for a miracle, the January 2023 deadline for delivery of the transformed Hallowed Chambers, was no longer 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.
“But the level of work seen here today is not pointing at that which to us, is a threat to our legislative duties and functions. Non-completion of this project at designated times is even a threat to democracy itself because we don’t want the incoming government to inherit it as an abandoned one.
“So, this committee wants to know challenges confronting the contractors as regards expeditious execution of the projects.”
Despite its inability to deliver on its promise, the contractors had yet to explain why they defaulted.
Members of the National Assembly from both chambers are threatening to call for a review of the contract or a possible replacement of the contractors over the slow pace of work.
They said the makeshift hearing rooms they’re using as chambers, were very inconvenient.
They warned that upon resumption later in February after the general elections, the issue may be extensively discussed during plenary where a decision would be taken.
One of the senators who is a member of the FCT committee said if not pushed, the contractors may delay the work for the next five years.
The source said, “We need to break the contract. Visible Concept contractors are incapable of delivering on this job. They lack the needed manpower. We’ll bring up the issue in plenary when we resume unless we see some level of improvement.”
