Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed worry over variations in project costs when contracts are awarded for long periods.

Naija Blog reports that Wike raised the concern on Thursday during the flag-off of the construction of Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) from Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) to the Airport Expressway (AEW).

According to him, projects awarded for two to three years often face cost adjustments, which he described as undesirable.

He said:

“We require your cooperation and with your cooperation the company may finish this road before the time they were given. I’m always afraid when projects are awarded for two years, three years, I’m always afraid because I don’t like variation. We will sit down again to reconsider and make sure that the available funds are released so that you don’t give excuses.”

Wike assured residents that once completed, the N20 road starting from N5 would become a key infrastructure in Abuja. He also highlighted that the ongoing commissioning of projects in the FCT has created jobs for many youths.

Meanwhile, former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, has urged President Bola Tinubu to address allegations linking Wike to hidden property acquisitions in Florida, USA.

Frank, in a statement, described the President’s silence on the issue as “troubling,” citing reports from People’s Gazetteand Sahara Reporters, and alleging that anti-graft agencies like EFCC and ICPC have turned a blind eye.