The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that he is prepared to face resistance from contractors as he begins a fresh round of project flag-offs and commissionings in Abuja.
Wike noted that some contractors might oppose the new strategies introduced by the FCT Administration for project maintenance, but warned that such resistance would not be tolerated.
The minister is set to spend 16 days commissioning and launching various projects, starting today and running through October 16.
Speaking at the flag-off of the construction of Arterial Road N1, linking Wuye District to Ring Road II on Thursday, Wike cautioned contractors against complacency and made it clear that only those ready to deliver should stay involved.
“Very soon we are flagging off to light up the whole of Abuja and you will see another fight, you know why? All those contractors, everyday I see files with maintenance of street light here, maintenance of back road light here, you continue to pay and pay.
“Now we have come up with a strategy on how to pay, there will be a fight. So if you are not prepared don’t come up here, me, I’m prepared for it.
“There are those whose duty is to supply generators. So now that a new strategy has come, they would fight me and I’m fully prepared for the fight.
“They will circumvent it, there are those who are political heads and because money is being imputed as overhead and it may not be there again, they will fight you.
“There are those from outside who believe that it’s their traditional title to produce generators, they will fight you; there are those politicians whose duty every time is to put street light, they will fight you,” Wike said.
The minister also expressed his determination to support President Bola Tinubu achieve his plans for Nigeria.
“If you’re not prepared for this job, go home and sleep. I’m prepared to support and help Mr. President to achieve for this country to get to where we’re supposed to be,” he added.
