Seventy-four contractors are currently competing for the contract to maintain and install street lights across the AMAC area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), encompassing the city center.
The financial bids for the street light maintenance and installation were unveiled yesterday at the Archives House and History Bureau in Abuja. According to Dr. Kabir Suleiman, Deputy Director of the FCTA Department of Procurement, the technical bid process adhered strictly to procurement regulations and was publicly announced back in March. He noted that certain contractors were disqualified for failing to meet specified criteria.
The contract is divided into 21 segments covering various areas such as Airport Expressway (lots 1 and 2), ONEX (lot 2), Maitama district, Apo district, Games Village areas, Asokoro district, CBN and Embassy zone, Garki 1 district, Garki 2 district, Utako district, Wuse 1 district, and Wuse 2 district.
During the bidding process, concerns were raised by residents and stakeholders present regarding the allocation of sensitive areas like the presidential road and airport road to companies lacking experience in infrastructure projects. Kazeem Fashola from Guzape questioned the suitability of awarding such critical contracts to firms primarily involved in events management, citing discrepancies in meeting technical requirements, such as the need for an 18-meter platform for managing the presidential route.
He urged for careful consideration in the reassignment of streetlight maintenance contracts, particularly along routes frequented by the President and other dignitaries, emphasizing the importance of contractors possessing both experience and technical proficiency.
Victoria Aloba, residing along Airport Road in Kuje, expressed bewilderment over changing the contractor responsible for maintaining the streetlights despite recent satisfactory performance. She highlighted the presence of a street lighting patrol van provided by the current contractor, which has significantly reduced incidents around the Kuje junction area. These concerns underscore the need for a meticulous approach in the selection and oversight of contractors entrusted with crucial infrastructure maintenance across the FCT.
