The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has decried the high cost of construction by contractors.
The Minister made the case when he visited the quarry factory of Zeberced Limited, in Kubwa area of the Territory, believed to be the biggest quarry site in West Africa.
Wike said construction ought not to be very expensive particularly in the nation’s capital, Abuja, because of the availability of raw materials.
He said: “It’s a factory in the FCT and the Managing Director has always invited me to come and see the factory which is the biggest quarry in West Africa.
“I have not been here before but I have taken the opportunity to look at the environment and see what they are doing. That shows that ordinarily, the cost of construction ought not to be very expensive, particularly in the FCT.
“Apart from equipment that are being imported, that are used for this quarry, the raw material is available here, and I wonder why contractors should be talking about cost of aggregate as of these are imported. These are not imported they are made here.”
Wike, who was impressed with indigenous direct staff strength on the payroll of the company, as well as the high-level manufacturing, pledged to support the company.
He said: “So I really want to encourage the company. Amazingly, we have this type of manufacturing going on here. Look at what he said, that they have over 800 persons who are working directly.
“This is the same company that’s trying to carry out Industrial Park at Idu, and we are going to give them all the necessary support as yesterday, I sent out a letter to the Ministry of Finance, to get some tax credit, to enable them to carry out the other one-carriage way to make it a double carriage, which is being done by Salini Construction company.
“I will not lie to you, I am really encouraged by what am seeing here.”
The Minister, who said his only problem was the environmental impact assessment, was assured by the Managing Director that the company was up to standard.
“My only problem is the environmental impact assessments, which he said are up to standards, there are no problems.
“I think it’s mind-boggling am very very impressed,” he concluded.
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