The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has voiced his surprise and discontent over the exclusion of Julius Berger from furnishing the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC), despite the company being awarded the full rehabilitation contract in April 2024.
Wike shared his concerns during an inspection visit to the project site in Abuja on Wednesday, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
While commending Julius Berger for the high quality of work carried out so far, the minister expressed shock upon learning that the furnishing aspect of the project had been handed over to a different contractor without his approval.
Wike emphasized that the original agreement was for Julius Berger to oversee the entire rehabilitation, which included the provision of furniture for the conference hall. He personally approved the contract and the associated budget, stating that any changes to the terms would require official clearance.
“The work was going as expected, the only problem we identified this afternoon has to do with the furniture that will be in the conference hall. I was surprised to hear that there is a different contractor for that, which is unacceptable to us,” Wike said. “The job was given to Julius Berger entirely. I cannot have different qualities.”
In response, Wike summoned the leadership of Julius Berger, the Abuja Investment Company Ltd (AICL), and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to clarify who authorized the deviation from the original contract and on what basis it was allowed.
The minister warned that assigning different contractors to furnish different parts of the same facility could jeopardize the overall quality and consistency of the project. He further stated that any irregularities discovered would result in decisive actions, stressing that no individual or organization involved would escape accountability.
The Abuja International Conference Centre, originally built by Julius Berger in 1990 for the 1991 OAU Heads of Government meeting, has long been a venue for government functions, international summits, exhibitions, and corporate events. However, the facility has deteriorated over the years.
In response to its poor condition, President Bola Tinubu ordered urgent renovations in April 2024, calling the building an “eyesore” during the ECOWAS Parliament inauguration. Following this, the FCT Administration suspended activities on April 8 to allow Julius Berger to begin extensive rehabilitation work on the venue.
The renovation project, which aims to bring the centre up to international standards, includes refurbishing meeting halls, conference rooms, gardens, and outdoor event spaces. Strategically located with easy access to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and central Abuja, the facility plays a critical role in hosting major events.
By March 2025, Minister Wike confirmed that the N39 billion renovation was 70-80% complete, with plans to have the venue ready for use by May 2025. This timeline is aligned with marking President Tinubu’s second year in office.