By Chioma Nnodim
Outgoing Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Mallam Muhammad Bello at the weekend, flagged off a ground breaking contract for the final engineering, design and infrastructure development of Maitama II District.
During the ceremony, Bello said the project, costing N184 billion, if completed will open up the Federal Capital City to accommodate the increasing population of the nation’s capital, Abuja.
The minister, who was represented by the permanent secretary FCT Administration, Mr Olusade Adesola, said the engineering infrastructure project marks the conclusion of the administration’s actualisation map of developing the territory.
He said the Maitama II District, which covers 780 hectares of land mass on the hills of Mpape, will have a presidential resort as one of the features to be accommodated.
Bello noted that the administration is conscious of its responsibility to the residents of FCT, for the continuous provision of the requisite engineering infrastructure necessary for the growth of residential, commercial and social services.
He acknowledged the keen interest of the National Assembly in supporting the administration in all stages that led to the approval and award of the contract.
“We are committed to ensuring sustainable funding of the project from our internally generated revenue and other sources”
The Managing Director, Dantata & Sawoe Mr Udo Heidschuster after receiving a letter of handing over the site to his company from Executive Secretary FCDA, he urged the community to cooperate with the company to fast track its completion.
Heidschuster assured FCT Administration of delivering the work in time with the expected quality.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Shehu Ahmed revealed that the contract was awarded to Messrs Dantata & Sawoe Nig. Ltd at the contract sum ot N184,366,505,342.50 with a completion period of 48 months.
