By The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has voiced significant concerns regarding the engineering designs employed in several road intervention projects undertaken by the FCT Administration. These worries were brought to light during the committee’s recent oversight visit to two key road projects within the Kwali Area Council: the 15-kilometre A2-Pai road and the 11-kilometre Yangoji-Sukuku road.
These crucial infrastructure projects are being managed and executed by the Satellite Towns Development Department, an agency under the FCT Administration, as part of emergency development interventions aimed at improving the Area Councils. During the inspection, the Resident Engineer of the Department, Engr Ibrahim Kangiwa, informed the visiting committee members that the engineering design for the A2-Pai road was a collaborative effort between the department’s own experts and those of the contracted construction company, ZEBERCED Construction Limited.
Engr Kangiwa further clarified to the committee that the contractual agreement includes a one-year maintenance period to be undertaken by the construction company. Following this initial period, the responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of the newly constructed A2-Pai road will be handed over to the respective Area Councils. He also mentioned that the ambitious project, with an estimated total cost of N30 billion, will feature the installation of solar-powered street lights along its entire 15-kilometre stretch.
However, despite the explanations provided by the Resident Engineer, the House Committee, led by Hon. Frederick Agbedi, remained unconvinced and expressed dissatisfaction with the oral accounts of the engineering designs. The committee members firmly insisted that the Satellite Towns Development Department must provide comprehensive documentation and paperwork detailing the designs to the committee’s secretariat no later than the following Monday. This demand underscores the committee’s commitment to thoroughly scrutinizing the technical aspects of these significant projects.
In addition to their concerns about the overall engineering designs, the panel members also raised specific fears regarding the safety and practicality of the planned solar-powered street lights. Their apprehension stems from the observation that substantial portions of the 15-kilometre A2-Pai road are currently unoccupied, raising questions about the security and potential vandalism of the installed lighting infrastructure in these less populated areas.
Speaking to members of the press after the inspection of the two road projects, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Frederick Agbedi, reiterated the panel’s reservations about certain aspects of the projects. He stated that while acknowledging the efforts made by the FCT Administration, the committee identified areas where improvements could have been made, particularly concerning project costs, engineering designs, and potential amendments to appropriations. Hon. Agbedi emphasized the committee’s intention to engage directly with the Minister of the FCT to address these observations and ensure a more effective approach to future infrastructure development.
Hon. Agbedi further noted the importance of having detailed project designs to accurately assess the extent of a contractor’s work and ensure proper budget allocation. He assured the public that the committee would carefully consider their findings and subsequently collaborate with the FCT Ministry and the Satellite Towns Development Department to guarantee the delivery of high-quality services to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory. The committee’s proactive stance highlights their commitment to oversight and ensuring the prudent use of public funds in critical infrastructure projects.
