– Govt orders Julius Berger back on site
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The contractor handling the N200billion NLNG-sponsored Bodo-Bonny Road construction, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has abandoned the project and demobilized from site, over project variation arising from exchange rate and other economic indices in the country.
The project which was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc by the previous administration in 2017 at about N200billion is being financed by the Nigeria LNG Limited under the Federal Government Tax Rebate Scheme.
The 37.9 kilometres road project with 17 small and big bridges which is currently about 84percent completed, was initially awarded for N120billion to be completed in December 2022, while the project variation was later adjusted to N200billion in 2021, with projected completion date as 31st December 2023.
Confirming the demobilization from the site by Julius Berger, the Acting Chairman, Bodo-Bonny Road Peace Committee, Chief Charles John Jumbo, expressed displeasure over the sudden abandonment of the project by Julius Berger Plc despite the funds committed by the Federal Government through NLNG.
Jumbo urged the federal government to urgently intervened on the matter, to avert the imminent hardship to be faced by people in the area.
“We observed the seeming demobilization of the contractors, Messrs. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc from the project site at about 80 per cent completion, leaving us deeply troubled as the Peace Committee and representatives of the communities directly imparted by the vital road network.
“We are apprehensive that the project’s discontinuation might result in yet another addition to catalogue of abandoned projects. We earnestly implore the federal government immediate intervention in addressing the current state of the Bodo-Bonny Road Project. Our communities remain committed to fostering peace and progress and the successful completion of this project.”
Reacting on the development, the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has assured that Bodo-Bonny Road project in Rivers State will be completed on record time, describing the project as a catalyst for economic revolution in the Niger Delta.
The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, noted that there was a partnership agreement in 2017 between the Federal Government via Federal Ministry of Works and NLNG on modalities for the funding of the project and wondered why the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, was no longer on site despite their agreement to deliver within the revised date of completion.
Umahi faulted the stance of Julius Berger Plc on variation of the project, even when the company had signed a commitment to complete the project without asking for further variation.
“No equipment must be allowed to be moved out of site, they (Julius Berger) must complete that project as agreed and as signed and nothing has removed that responsibility which they willingly on their own signed.
“Bobo-Bonny project was augmented to over N199billion, I am told by the Ministry and NLNG that there was a document signed by Julius Berger that the project cannot be varied, which means that the project cost cannot be increased, the project is about 37 kilometres.”
The Minister thanked the host communities for maintaining peace between them and the contractor handling the project despite the delays, assuring that the Ministry would make sure that the Bodo-Bonny Road project would be completed by April 2024.
“Nobody will hold this country to ransom, if they cannot do it, another person will come and do it and finish it even better but the only charge I give to you is not to allow any equipment out of sight until they complete the project.”
The Minister equally said the Federal Government will equally handle a coastal road in the area of even greater site challenges, and the cost would not be up to what Government was paying Julius Berger.
“I respect them for their quality and commitment, but we shouldn’t be taken for granted. It is a character of arrogance for them to demobilize from site.”
Also, the Federal Director, Bridges and Design, Engr. O. O. Awosanya, giving a history of the Bodo-Bonny Road project, said the initial date of completion was supposed to be 31st December 2023.
“We have three main bridges, and we have nine mini bridges and one bridge over the pipeline. The project completion as of today is about percent and the contractor has requested for a review which is against the spirit of the propagated agreement that was signed between the Federal Government, the NLNG and Julius Berger in 2021.”
