Row Between US, Nigeria Over Asokoro Road Project

PHOTO: L-R: PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN AND PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

ABUJA May 15, (THEWILL) - The Federal Government and the United States are already shifting towards a diplomatic row as the United States Embassy in Abuja has given instruction to the Engineering services Department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to stop an ongoing road project in Asokoro District near one of its rented properties in Abuja.

The quiet row which reared its ugly head mid-week in Abuja has raised apprehension that the United States is exerting its power on Nigeria by undermining its sovereignty through the so called instruction given to an agency under the direct supervision of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed to stop the construction, as according to the US Embassy, it might pose a security risk to both the embassy and its staff.

Impeccable source at the Engineering Department of the FCDA told THEWILL that "We have actually stopped work in order to contact the necessary Government apparatus to dialogue with the US Embassy in the way forward."

At the last count, he told THEWILL that Foreign Affairs Minister, Odein Ajumogobia and the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed may likely meet next week to wade into the matter and seek amicable resolution to the quiet row.

The source further explained that the embassy even ordered the contractor Messrs SCC Nigeria Limited to stop work and vacate the portion of the road near one of its rented properties in the area.

The source also revealed that the immediate past FCT Minister, Senator Adamu Aliero, was angered by the development, describing the US instruction as unacceptable and ordered the construction firm to go ahead, reasoning that any diversion of the road project to suit the United States would definitely affect the Abuja master plan.