Renovation and construction project at FCT School for the Blind Children, Jabi, has slowed down due to delayed funds, leaving staff, including people with visual impairments, to live in uncomfortable conditions in the students’ dinner hall for almost five months.
The project is one of the numerous school projects commissioned by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike and handled by the Global SoftLayer Construction.
A concerned citizen who spoke with THE WHISTLER disclosed that the staff were asked to vacate the quarters and were told to settle at the students’ dinner hall for a quick renovation of the quarters.
The “quick” renovation according to the concerned citizen who pleaded anonymity, has dragged, leaving the staff members and their families to celebrate Christmas, Salah and Easter in the hall.
“I visited the place and did not like the living condition of the staff who are visually challenged. Before the students arrived for this term, they piled the dinner seats and table and the center of the hall and the staff occupied various sides of the hall with all their property.
“They were managing the space until the students came back from the holidays. The living condition is not only inconveniencing the staff but the students too who themselves are visually challenged,” he explained.
He added that the families face not just lack of privacy, but also mosquito bites every night since the hall is an open space.
The citizen urged the FCT Minister, Wike to release funds for the speedily completion of the renovation so that the staff will return to their quarters.
“Wike is doing a good job, I must commend him. He is renovating many schools in the FCT which is great but this very school ought to be given urgent attention as there are people with special needs. Other schools can afford to wait but not this school,” he explained.
He narrated how one of the staff nearly had a terrible fall while heading to the common bathroom and pleaded that something urgent be done to prevent further accident.
THE WHISTLER contacted Global SoftLayer Limited, the contractors handling the work, via their website’s contact line. The person who spoke with the reporter said the work is ongoing, but progress and completion depend on payment.
“We are waiting for payment. Once we get more payment, we will be able to complete the work,” he said.
A source at the FCTA also confirmed that the contractors have not been paid since November.
“I am sure that once they are paid, the work will be completed soon,” the source added.
