Minister for State, Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika has said the Federal Government may revoke the remodeling contract of the domestic wing, Port Harcourt International Airport due to the slow pace of work by the contractor.
Sirika made the statement during an inspection of ongoing construction at the Port Harcourt International Airport, adding that work on the arrival terminal of the domestic wing of the airport, being handled by INTER-BAU Construction Ltd., had suffered prolonged delay since inception in 2012.
Sirika lamented that the company is yet to deliver on the project in spite of all the contract variations it had enjoyed from the past and present administrations. He said “Unfortunately, this contract was awarded in 2012 and since then the contractor has taken his own speed on delivery. “ In line with the thinking of President Buhari, we had no option than continue with him since he has a legitimate extension and variation approval. “Since the government is a continuum, we decided to pursue this procurement vigorously”.
While speaking on past efforts to ensure quick completion of the Port, he disclosed “As a Minister for State Aviation, I had invited the contractor severally to my office to chart a way forward and I had also approved some variations for him.
He explained that there was a need to ensure quick delivery on the project to enhance economic activities at the airport, maintaining that federal Government cannot continue to neglect Port Harcourt in terms of airport facilities, as it is one of the most important cities in the country.
