By Adeleye Kunle
The Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has frowned at the slow pace of work on the Karshi-Ara-Apo Road which was awarded in 2011 to an indigenous company, Katar Civil Engineering Limited.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi expressed dissatisfaction when he led members of the committee on an oversight visit to some road projects across the territory.
Also on the visit was the Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello and that of State for the FCT, Mrs Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu.
Expressing his dissatisfaction, Senator Adeyemi said “You have betrayed the confidence of the funding. It is just inexplicable.
“I came here in 2013 you gave us the same promise. When an indigenous company decides to betray the trust, you will justify why indigenous companies should not be patronised.”
He said the delay was going to cost the country more than it should have expended on the road.
“If I were the Minister, I will revoke this job. I will ask them to refund to government. If you can’t do the job why did you take the job? Why did you bid for it?
“We don’t have to pretend to ourselves and pretend to speak the truth. A job that was awarded in 2011 and up till now you are still where you are.
“You have been provided with the funding. You have no excuse. If you have been provided enough funding and you are finding it difficult to recover the money paid to you. You are a disappointment to the indigenous company. You have failed the nation”.
Adeyemi further invited the contractor to appear before the committee on Thursday
