Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike yesterday shut down the International Conference Centre (ICC) for eight months for lack of maintenance.
The minister, who announced this after inspecting the facility, cancelled all events and activities booked at the venue.
Expressing disappointment at the state of the facility during the inspection, Wike queried why the contract for the maintenance of such an edifice was handed over to what he called an incompetent company.
He announced that with immediate effect, the contract for the comprehensive renovation of the International Conference Center had been awarded to Julius Berger for eight months.
The minister announced that the facility will be handed back to the Abuja Investment Company Limited after renovation.
Last week, Wike revoked the contract of the previous contractors, Messrs Integrated Facility Management Services Limited, and awarded the contract to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for “the immediate comprehensive renovation” of the ICC.
He said: “It is very unfortunate. So many leaders meant well but those of us who have the opportunity to be among them hide what will benefit at the end of the day and set back the whole essence of good leadership.
“I told you we came here for the ECOWAS inauguration last week with Mr. President. No right-thinking human being would like to see an international location of that nature and would see the state of this facility and be happy”.
