US halts construction of Abuja road •Cites security reason

http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/3373-us-halts-construction-of-abuja-road-cites-security-reason.html

NIGERIA and the United States of America (USA) may be heading towards diplomatic face-off as US has decided to wield its power over Nigeria by ordering the Engineering Services Department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to discontinue the construction of road infrastructure in Area D, Asokoro district of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

This according to the Chief Resident Engineer of the project, Mrs Elizabeth Oricha, the US Embassy in Nigeria gave the order that the road construction be stopped as it was heading towards one of its rented properties in Asokoro District on the ground that such road when completed would constitute a security threat to the Embassy and its personnel.

Oricha disclosed on Tuesday, when the FCDA board members toured ongoing projects in the FCT.

She explained that the US embassy in Nigeria had ordered the contractor handling the project Messrs SCC to discontinue work and leave the portion of the road passing in front of one of its rented properties in the area, asking the contractor to divert the road to elsewhere, a development the immediate former FCT Minister, Senator Adamu Aliero, described as unacceptable.

The resident engineer further explained that Senator Aliero gave a go ahead on the project on the ground that such order from the USA government could not stand as it would amount to violation of the Abuja Master plan.

Insulting!

They dare not try that with the chinese government!

Lets see what our govt will do about it.

~Bluetooth:

Lets see what our govt will do about it.

Which government? they will probably even write the US embassy an apology letter, withdraw the project and keep the money, after all no one will ask questions!

I choose not to believe this

Honestly , i am waiting to see what the government will do about it, because they rented an accommodation so development should not occur around it. Why can't they look for another accommodation to rent.

Nigerian govt will do nothing . . . let us wait and see

the road should be re routed asap.

The move by the USA is criminal. How many embassies in the US would halt any project in USA undertaken by the US government - on their own land?

America is always having a sense of 'security threat' these days because they can't grow up past their burger-fed faces! What security threat does Nigeria pose to the US embassy?

This is more than ridiculous to read!

If true, this is utter nonsense. How can the US embassy order a contractor to stop, what did they use to force the order, the US marines? Jonathan should summon the US Ambassador to Aso Rock and tear her a new one

I think the press is making up the story.

What kind of idiotic journalism is this.

Us government in diplomatic row with Naija over RENTED apartment or road construction.

And am sure this will generate an argument about how useless the Naija government is on Nairaland.

Naija problems permeates every sector. Even journalism

Even nollywood can come up with better stories. Rubbish.

When I read about it in another newspaper 'Daily trust', I was like how did US embassy enforce the order. Used our own security agencies or their own?

US embassy stops Abuja road project - Engineer

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 04:54

The US Embassy in Nigeria has asked the Engineering Services Department of the FCDA to discontinue work on the construction of a road in Area D in Asokoro District of Abuja. Mrs Elizabeth Oricha, the Chief Resident Engineer of the project, said this in Abuja yesterday while briefing members of the FCDA Board, who were on tour of facilities in the territory. “The US Embassy asked the contractor handling the project to discontinue work on the portion of the road passing by its rented properties or in the alternative divert the road,’’ Oricha said. (NAN).

http://www.news.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16517:us-embassy-stops-abuja-road-project-engineer&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=119

We all know US embassies/buildings and personnel are an attraction for terrorist attacks around the world. Look what has happened in Kenya, tanzania, Morocco, etc. They have an obligation to defend their interest no matter where in the world. e.g, their embassy in london which is heavily fortified and limited to vehicular and human traffic. There should be no diplomatic impasse if the host government had consulted properly. That is called RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE unlike our bleeding corrupt government.

Why did the contractors handling the project including the ministry of works fail to do comprehensive checks before commencement? If they had done they could even bill the americans for any extra costs incurred from re-directing the project. I am sure they were only interested in kickbacks as usual.

^^^
This is a rented property and not a US Embassy

safariman:

^^^
This is a rented property and not a US Embassy

Rented or not i am sure the building should be of strategic importance to warrant their alledged request.
Imagine if the road went ahead, and some yrs down the line a car bomb driven into it and the ambassador killed!! The uproar and repercussions etc. And we are here crying over terrorist list inclusion following muttalabs exploits.

Will most of you just Shut Up!

You believe any twisted story you read in the Nigerian press then jump online to your usual all singing, all dancing Nigeria is a failed state bandwagon of fools choir.

Most likely this is a case of the US requesting a reconsideration due to percieved security risks but some usual moronic, half-baked, dimwitted, pathetic buffoon Nigerian journalist cooking up a story to sell papers and abusing all the principles and goodwill of freedom of press.

violent:

Insulting!

They dare not try that with the chinese government!

Or Libyan government

This is unacceptable!
They are renting a property let them go and build theirs or the money has been re-routed to ministry of defence to support US troops who kill innocent afgans at will.
If it is a security risk then Fxck them go and build urs in a 2000 hectares of land with 500 being the embassy the remaining space to prevent any form of insecurity,,,
The infrastructure is needed,it will be of interest to all Nigerians rather than succumb to the interest of people who call us terrorist,
This is UNACCEPTABLE
I swear this is ANNOYING,VERY so nigeria and its terrorist citizens(US 2 blame) are stupid or what hmmn?idiotic shit!
UNACCEPTABLE
Let our padi padi government do something please infact,sack tgem 4rm the building and revoke their land they fit do anything?
Anyway,are we not terrorist what are they doin in a terrorists land?

Arrant nonsense

We're being ruled by fxxking Americans already. Can any country do this in the US?
We have ourselves to blame for allowing racist America to dictate to us for far too long. To hell with racism, Fxxk America.

The American embassies worldwide are all the same. They love nothing more than muscle flexing. The Embassy in London, owes a backlog of fines and congestion charges which they have pointedly refused to pay. Nigeria would not be an exception.

We should ask ourself that is this report balanced? Why not contact US embassy before going to the press and conclude?
The US must have a reason if indeed they gave the order.
And never forget that wherever an embassy is located, such perimeter is as good as the country's home soil.
America embassy, though in Nigeria is American soil by virtue of diplomacy.

The American Embassy is not @ asokoro, its in central area, nd if d americans hav any property it shld be a rented one, so if they are not comfortable they should relocate but 2 ask us to redirect our road is arrant nonsense.


Someone complained of d press not presentin a balanced report I gues u can apreciate y d govt will not just want 2 pas an FOI bill wher d journalists are not matured enuf 2 handle

super story

I don't even understand you Nigerians. I don't blame US government. They are protecting their citizens in Nigeria. What is wrong with that. Do you know if the road construction is targeted at them?

You guys should see reason in certain issues. Now the construction has been stop. This a waste of money. If they had consulted widely this would not had happened.

Please let's not be biased.