The African Action Congress (AAC) has called for an investigation into the alleged misuse of N39billion by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC).
The party described the expenditure as excessive, questioning the necessity of such a massive budget for a facility that was not in a state of disrepair.
The AAC FCT Chairman, Agena Robert Ande, issued a statement on Saturday, urging full disclosure of the project’s financial details.
The party demanded a detailed breakdown of costs, including all expenses, contracts, and subcontracts related to the renovation.
Furthermore, AAC called for the full disclosure of all contractors involved, including their names, companies, and the terms of their agreements.
The party also sought clarity on any clauses in the contracts that might be against public interest.
The party also insisted on full disclosure of all contractors involved in the project, their terms of agreement, and receipts of all expenditures.
Additionally, AAC called for transparency in the agreement between the FCTA and the contractors, highlighting concerns over any clauses that might not serve public interest.
The party urge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation,” Ande stated.
The statement read, “We, the African Action Congress (AAC) FCT chapter, are alarmed by the recent revelation that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has spent a whopping 39 billion Naira on the renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja. We demand that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and other relevant law enforcement agencies launch a thorough investigation into this matter.
“The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has claimed that the project was necessary to upgrade the facility to international standards. However, we believe that the huge sum of 39 billion Naira is excessive for a renovation of a conference center (ICC) that is not dilapidated. We all know that the previous administration had already done massive of renovations and the building had no issues. We are calling for absolute scrutiny.
“It is perceived that the FCT Minister Wike is using resources to fight for his selfish interests in Rivers State, rather than serving the best interests of the Nigerian people, who knows if this is part of his strategy to gain full resources to continue his fight against the Government of River State as perceived.”
According to the Chairman, “We demand that the following information be made public: Detailed Breakdown of Costs: A comprehensive breakdown of the 39 billion Naira spent on the renovation, including all expenses, contracts, and sub-contracts.
“Contractors’ Details: Full disclosure of all contractors involved in the project, including their names, companies, and terms of agreement. Their detailed expenditures and receipts.
“Terms of Agreement: The terms of agreement between the FCTA and the contractors, including any clauses that may be detrimental to the public interest.
“We urge the EFCC, ICPC, and other law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into this matter.
“The Nigerian people deserve to know how their hard-earned resources are being utilized. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and demand accountability from those in power,” Ande added.
