Gbajabiamila berates Julius Berger for slow pace of work on NILDS project, issues 30 days ultimatum for completion

Following his visit to the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) project site in Abuja on Thursday, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has given construction firm Julius Berger a 30-day ultimatum to complete the permanent facility.

Gbajabiamila expressed disappointment with the level of progress made on the project and emphasized that the National Assembly had provided adequate funding to ensure its completion.

He added that the leadership of the National Assembly had taken all necessary steps to facilitate the project’s timely completion, and that the quality of work done so far did not match the funds that have been invested.

“We have dedicated funds and we are not getting anything commensurate with the funds that have been sunk into this project.“The last time I was here two years ago, the work was at 95 per cent completion stage.“If they have moved a little bit and it is at 98 per cent now, the remaining two per cent should not be a problem in terms of completion in the next 30 days.

“I am very disappointed that we are still at this stage and there is nobody working here,” he said.

Since the project’s award in 2013, the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, has expressed disappointment with its slow progress. He too echoed the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in expressing dissatisfaction with the quality of work done so far on the project.

“We got commitment from Julius Berger that once the liabilities on the projects, as at two years ago, were settled, they would come back to site.

“As at today, I can tell you we are not owing Julius Berger; we are not indebted to them; there is no outstanding liability and the pledge they made to us has not been kept.

“That is why the speaker is insisting that the project must be commissioned in the next 30 days by Mr President before he leaves.

“Whatever it is going to take them to do something between now and the next 30 days, I expect them to give it,” he said.

Speaking further on the project’s slow progress, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman emphasized that the project should not be treated like a retail business where immediate payment is expected.

He stated that once a contract is awarded, work should commence, and payment should follow suit.

Suleiman further speculated that Julius Berger may be facing challenges due to having too many projects outside Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) attempted to get a comment from Julius Berger officials on-site, but they declined to respond.

Likewise, the company’s spokesperson, Mr. Moses Duku, could not be reached for comment at the time of this report.